The Minnesota Twins didn't have an elite roster to begin with, but they're in an even weaker position now that starting pitcher Pablo Lopez will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old is one of MLB's better hurlers, as he's had a sub-4.00 ERA in five of the last six seasons.

The Twins now have no healthy upper-echelon players besides starting pitcher Joe Ryan and outfielder Byron Buxton. Both plan to play for the United States in the World Baseball Classic starting in March, and they each made the All-Star team in 2025.

Minnesota should trade both players and commit to a rebuild, but Ryan's situation is more urgent. 2026 is the last year on the veteran's deal before a mutual option in 2027, while Buxton is signed through 2028.

Minnesota finished 70-92 last season, good for second-worst in the AL. However, the organization still hasn't admitted that it's time to shed the veterans and build around prospects.

It's one thing to have losing seasons while developing young talent, but doing it with win-now players like Ryan and Buxton is senseless. For example, the Athletics were 76-86 last season, but they're led by bright young stars like shortstop Jacob Wilson and first baseman Nick Kurtz. Both players are under 25, and Wilson made the 2025 All-Star team while Kurtz was the AL Rookie of the Year.

The Twins don't have any young players of that ilk in the big leagues yet, but that could change once they trade Ryan and/or Buxton. They could send either player to a contending team in exchange for prospects and/or young big-leaguers in the vein of the Juan Soto trade between the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres in August 2022. The Nationals sent Soto and first baseman Josh Bell for a package including shortstop CJ Abrams, outfielder James Wood, and starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore. 

Washington then traded Gore to the Texas Rangers in January for a package headlined by shortstop and 2025 first-round pick Gavin Fien, but Abrams and Wood are now the team's two best players, and they're aged 25 and 23, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ryan is 29 and Buxton is 32. They're not ancient, but they have a limited number of years left before they decline. Players like that fit better on win-now teams, while up-and-coming players have more time for rebuilds.

Ryan may not fetch Minnesota a Soto-level package, but moving him for prospects before he possibly opts out next offseason would be the smart move for the organization's future.