Joe Ryan to the Giants?

[DJL44]

MLB trade rumors had an interesting article about how the Giants are interested in replenishing their rotation with Sonny Gray this offseason. I wonder if they would be even more interested in local phenom Joe Ryan. Ryan was drafted by the Giants out of high school but opted to attend Cal State Northridge instead. He could probably be convinced to sign a long term contract extension with his hometown team.

What would you want in return from the Giants? I think Bryce Eldridge would have to headline the return. I would also ask for Whisenhunt. 
 

 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Joe is almost certainly getting traded. Hopefully the Twins get legitimate value in return.

[DJL44]

The Giants look very likely to trade Eldridge for pitching this offseason after acquiring Devers from the Red Sox.

[Cory Engelhardt]

I can see Ryan get traded this offseason too, depending on the legitimacy of the return. Getting a high upside power bat would be something I could see them prioritizing.

I do question Eldridge and his K rate at AAA. But the power is real.

I guess we'll see.

[chpettit19]

I don't love their system. Eldridge would be a must, but I'm not really sure there's much else there I love. Going off what Boston just gave up for Crochet last offseason, I'd expect 2 top 100 guys plus another solid piece or 2. I'm not sure San Fran has that.

Whisenhunt is already 25 next year. He has to be good from the jump at that age. And he hasn't been great in his first 5 starts. He'd be the 3rd piece in a deal, to me. 

Gonzalez is their other possible top 100 type guy, but he's in the Dominican league still. Those are some real long odds to be betting on with Ryan. He may be an absolute star, and the type of all-around talent I wish the Twins had more of in the system, but I'm just not a fan of guys who are so far away being key parts of trades for somebody like Ryan.

Those 3 would be the right type of return for Ryan in a vacuum, I'm just not sure I'd be convinced it's the best package they could get for him. Or, maybe the better way to say it is that it wouldn't be my favorite package they'd likely be offered for him.

[Vanimal46]

Joe is going to have plenty of interest from teams this winter. 2 things that won’t surprise me at all:

- He requests a trade out of Minnesota

- He immediately signs a long term contract with the new team… just like Berrios did in Toronto. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

On 9/9/2025 at 3:35 PM, Vanimal46 said:

Joe is going to have plenty of interest from teams this winter. 2 things that won’t surprise me at all:

- He requests a trade out of Minnesota

- He immediately signs a long term contract with the new team… just like Berrios did in Toronto. 

I can totally see this happening.

Curious what teams would offer. It would certainly be more than what they got back for Berrios. Still would hurt for 2026.

[Cory Engelhardt]

Just throwing out an idea I had while sitting around doing nothing.

Let’s say the cubs want Joe Ryan and offer a package centered around Michael Busch. MN native, would arguably fill the 1b/dh hole for years; and he has real pop. 

First, is that someone you would want as a headliner of a package? And 2, how much else would have to come with him?

[Chembry]

23 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Just throwing out an idea I had while sitting around doing nothing.

Let’s say the cubs want Joe Ryan and offer a package centered around Michael Busch. MN native, would arguably fill the 1b/dh hole for years; and he has real pop. 

First, is that someone you would want as a headliner of a package? And 2, how much else would have to come with him?

I love Michael Bush and Moises Ballesteros for Ryan, but no way the Cubs accept that offer.  I could see Bush and a lower prospect, or Ballesteros and another high end prospect like Kevin Alcantra or Johnathon Long.  

[Mike Sixel]

13 minutes ago, Chembry said:

I love Michael Bush and Moises Ballesteros for Ryan, but no way the Cubs accept that offer.  I could see Bush and a lower prospect, or Ballesteros and another high end prospect like Kevin Alcantra or Johnathon Long.  

Ryan and Jeffers for Busch, Ballesteros and a mid tier prospect? I don't think Cubs do that? 

[Chembry]

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

Ryan and Jeffers for Busch, Ballesteros and a mid tier prospect? I don't think Cubs do that? 

I would love that deal for the Twins, but I don't think the Cubs would go for that...

The Cubs currently have 4 catchers rostered.  Carson Kelly is signed through 2026 and Miguel Amaya is pre-arbitration.  Reese McGuire will probably be non-tendered after this year.  And they recently promoted Ballesteros.  I don't know if they will let him go...I can see them shopping Miguel Amaya to hold on to Ballesteros.