If the New York Yankees pulled off this trade, they would be in business.
The New York Yankees have already acquired one starting pitcher this offseason, landing Ryan Weathers in a trade with the Miami Marlins.
But based on the fact that the Yankees also pursued Freddy Peralta before the Milwaukee Brewers dealt him to the New York Mets, they might still be willing to add another starter if the opportunity presents itself.
Right now, the market for arms is rather tame, especially after Peralta and MacKenzie Gore were both already traded. However, there is another enticing pitcher who could become available under the right circumstances: Minnesota Twins star Joe Ryan.
The Twins said earlier this offseason that they weren't moving Ryan, but they may have just changed after Minnesota's decision to part ways with president Derek Falvey.
Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller has proposed a trade in which New York would land Ryan, but it would have to surrender outfielder Spencer Jones as well as pitchers Will Warren and Bryce Cunningham in return.
Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan. Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images."Should the Twins insist upon Cam Schlittler instead of Will Warren, they'll probably need to throw something else in the deal to get it across the finish line. But for five years of team control on Warren and a pair of coveted prospects, it's probably worth giving up their final two years on Ryan and planning on contending again in 2028," Miller wrote.
Ryan is coming off of a 2025 campaign in which he logged a 3.42 ERA while allowing 138 hits and racking up 194 strikeouts over 171 innings of work, earning his first All-Star appearance since entering the big leagues in 2021.
The 29-year-old owns a lifetime 3.79 ERA while averaging 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings, so he would definitely comprise a fantastic addition for the Yankees.
Some might question Ryan's track record considering 2025 was the only year in which he made 30 starts in a single season, and he is also a bit older for a player who still has a couple of years of club control remaining.
There is no doubting Ryan's talent, though, and with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon both sidelined to start 2026, adding Ryan into the mix would certainly help stabilize New York's starting rotation.
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