It Would Be Irresponsible for the Twins to Not Make Joe Ryan Available This Offseason: Part 1

[Riverbrian]

14 minutes ago, ashbury said:

I've rebuilt franchises in one off-season playing OOTP.

(Easy mode)

I win my fantasy league almost every year.

They never call us! 

 

[Danchat]

I'd say the canned phrase of "you only trade him if the return blows you away", but the 2025 trade deadline showed that Falvey's definition of that is very different from ours. I thought they'd have to get more to move Duran and Jax, but evidently that wasn't that case.

[tony&rodney]

9 hours ago, NYCTK said:

No team in baseball would trade McLean for Joe Ryan. Not one. 

22 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

You are consistently an excellent Met fan, promoting and lauding their team and prospects. I think that is wonderful. However, you have made a statement that is actually impossible to know. MLB teams don't share resources on how they evaluate or feel about players. There isn't any way to know if any team would do this trade or that. In fact, the history of baseball includes many surprises.

In any event, the Twins should targeting position players. I would not be shocked if a trade between the Mets and Twins was completed. I would be surprised. Having watched many of their players at least a few times I am less enthused than you or even others about their guys. That is an opinion and I can easily accept the excitement anyone might have about specific players.

[NYCTK]

35 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

However, you have made a statement that is actually impossible to know.

OK. No MLB team with a GM that wasn't completely brain dead (and I mean that quite literally) would trade McLean for Joe Ryan. 

Like I said, I'm not being stubborn or overrating Mets. I'm saying, definitively, that no one with any baseball and MLB roster rule knowledge would trade the major league ready #1 or #2 pitching prospect in all baseball that has already pitched a quarter season in MLB with a 117 Stuff+ and a 2.78 xFIP, for a very good pitcher that's peak has been no better than that prospect has already shown.

Not to mention McLean is obviously cheaper, younger, and under team control for a lot longer.

There are perhaps only 10-15 prospects in all of baseball that aren't attainable for Joe Ryan, and maybe 2 of those are pitching prospects. Nolan McLean is one of those prospects. 

[tony&rodney]

35 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

OK. No MLB team with a GM that wasn't completely brain dead (and I mean that quite literally) would trade McLean for Joe Ryan. 

Like I said, I'm not being stubborn or overrating Mets. I'm saying, definitively, that no one with any baseball and MLB roster rule knowledge would trade the major league ready #1 or #2 pitching prospect in all baseball that has already pitched a quarter season in MLB with a 117 Stuff+ and a 2.78 xFIP, for a very good pitcher that's peak has been no better than that prospect has already shown.

Not to mention McLean is obviously cheaper, younger, and under team control for a lot longer.

There are perhaps only 10-15 prospects in all of baseball that aren't attainable for Joe Ryan, and maybe 2 of those are pitching prospects. Nolan McLean is one of those prospects. 

Consider using, "I believe ...." or words to that effect.

[NYCTK]

10 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Consider using, "I believe ...." or words to that effect.

Not necessary when I'm spitting facts. 

[tony&rodney]

9 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

Not necessary when I'm spitting facts. 

Ok. Can't say I wasn't warned about New York fans

Carry on.

[RaoulDuke]

On 10/25/2025 at 6:21 AM, CarolinaTwin said:

IMO I would like them to keep Ryan but it would be interesting to see what offers would be available.  If he is to be traded the Twinkies should receive a starting caliber 1st baseman or an experienced catcher that’s not over the hill.  Also hoping the Twinkies start allowing players to take ownership of defensive positions instead of moving players around so much.  The same thing with the batting order.  

If they are trading Ryan then next year is a full development year and 2027 could be a lockout.  Zero reason to try and get MLB ready talent to have them play in a year where they are punting then sit and waste a year during the lockout.  

In my opinion they should go all in for prospects, preferably a package headlined by a top prospect arm or two.

[tony&rodney]

On 10/28/2025 at 5:36 PM, RaoulDuke said:

If they are trading Ryan then next year is a full development year and 2027 could be a lockout.  Zero reason to try and get MLB ready talent to have them play in a year where they are punting then sit and waste a year during the lockout.  

In my opinion they should go all in for prospects, preferably a package headlined by a top prospect arm or two.

The development years started right after the July trades. It will continue in the next two years.

The CBA will be a big item a year from now but no way there are more than April games lost. Owners love money and the vast majority of teams make money. 

The Twins need position players. They might be able to acquire a couple of arms but they won't be top twenty prospects. Ryan could certainly return a very good position prospect. We have seen the importance of great pitching in the current playoffs.

It would be irresponsible to not make every player available this offseason. A few trades (3-5) are needed to change the makeup of the roster, specifically on the position player side.

[DJL44]

On 10/27/2025 at 8:11 AM, TopGunn#22 said:

Another flaw in BBTV is that it overly values "prospects."  If you are young and put together a good major league (or even a minor league) season, your value absolutely SKYROCKETS in BBTV.  As soon as your salary starts to ascend, your value goes down...a LOT.  It's how you can have a probable "back to back" Cy Young Award winner like Tarik Skubal with a value of 51.6.  I'll bet Walker Jenkins has a higher value.

That's not a flaw, that's how trade values work. Older, more expensive and less team control is worth less than younger, cheaper and more team control.

[Battle ur tail off]

On 10/26/2025 at 4:50 PM, NYCTK said:

Hate to break it to you, but your expectations are wildly unrealistic and you're inevitably going to be disappointed because I think it's very, very likely that he's traded. 

Tong or Sproat aren't necessarily the best possible SP prospect that the Twins would get in return - that'd probably be Tolle? But they're in that same bucket. Prospects of McLean quality, a top 10 prospect, aren't even in discussion. I can promise you that. 

Then the Mets don't need to get him. 

Twins have bent over for many years giving up good young players for garbage prospects. I am all for trading guys away, but bring back real talent. I would rather see a 1 for 1 to get the best there is, than trading for a bunch of mid-tier guys. It should be this way in free agency also. Don't fill in with oodles of washups or never was players, Add studs, or don't add them at all and use your system. Not sure why the Twins never try to operate this way. They have tried everything else. 

[NYCTK]

2 minutes ago, Battle ur tail off said:

I would rather see a 1 for 1 to get the best there is, than trading for a bunch of mid-tier guys.

The problem you run into with this thinking is team's aren't willing to give up the players you would want for a 1 for 1. Which is why teams then become placated with that next tier of prospects.

I only use the Mets as an example because of my familiarity with them, not because I think they're the best fit. But you're just flat out not getting Nolan McLean for Joe Ryan. So the Twins would then be looking at Jett Williams, but not only Jett Williams, but getting the Mets to add another player like Jonathon Santucci, etc etc.

13 minutes ago, Battle ur tail off said:

It should be this way in free agency also. Don't fill in with oodles of washups or never was players, Add studs, or don't add them at all and use your system.

That's great in theory. But if your system is weaker and your depth would have DaShawn Keirsey Jr. or Ryan Fitzgerald as your 4th OF or backup MIF, then teams are wise to spend some additional capital in order to improve the team. 

[tony&rodney]

It is almost inevitable that Joe Ryan is traded this offseason. It isn't what fans necessarily want but the Twins need to add talented position players to their organization. This seems like a decision that makes or breaks the guy in the front office. Get it wrong and he should be gone. If teams are not willing to give up talent for Joe Ryan, then those teams can go home empty-handed. Ryan has two years of control at low salaries. I would surprised if there wasn't a great deal of effort expended after the World Series laying groundwork by many teams to entice the Twins into picking their offer. The chatter across the internet is already heavy concerning Ryan and as expected the offers all favor the home team at the expense of the Twins.

[The Great Hambino]

For what it's worth I tried poking around the Twins website to see who they're featuring in their marketing materials for 2026 tickets.  Obviously a lot of Buxton.  There's some Lopez and Lewis featured there as well.

One guy I didn't notice anywhere?  Joe Ryan

Maybe it's nothing.  Probably nothing.  But maybe another possible indicator of where they might be headed.

 

[SteveLV]

Mr. NYCTK, do you think the Giants would give up Bryce Eldridge for Ryan?  I know you think the Mets would balk at trading McLean.  Would the Giants balk at giving up Eldridge?

[sun]

It seems that too many Twins fans want to forget that Ryan broke the Yankees winning streak in 2025. All the Twins need to do to gain some respectibility is to make the playoffs, and Ryan can help them to do that. That's how the owners & the FO's maintain some value in their franchises. Of course they want to sell tickets and earn TV money. But they can't do that without winning some games. I think that Ryan will be sticking around in 2026. The FO has a plan that the fans aren't privy to. 

Google AI:

Yes, the Minnesota Twins beat the Yankees 4-1 on August 14, 2025, thanks to a strong performance from pitcher Joe Ryan. Ryan pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on a home run to Cody Bellinger while striking out seven. The victory also snapped the Twins' nine-game losing streak against the Yankees.  

 

• Pitching: Joe Ryan (12-5) was dominant, giving up only four hits and two walks. His only blemish was a third-inning home run to Cody Bellinger that gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead.
• Offense: The Twins scored all four of their runs in the sixth inning.
  • Kody Clemens broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run double.
  • Royce Lewis followed with an RBI double to drive in Clemens.
• Significance: The win ended a nine-game losing streak for the Twins against the Yankees.

[tony&rodney]

18 hours ago, sun said:

The FO has a plan that the fans aren't privy to. 

Yes, Zero people predicted a single one of their plans thus far so it is a certainty that the fans aren't privy to any such plan.

A much more amazing thing to think about is another thought. Is there or was there ever a plan?

[Mike Sixel]

23 hours ago, SteveLV said:

Mr. NYCTK, do you think the Giants would give up Bryce Eldridge for Ryan?  I know you think the Mets would balk at trading McLean.  Would the Giants balk at giving up Eldridge?

Not nearly enough. 

[Mike Sixel]

19 hours ago, sun said:

It seems that too many Twins fans want to forget that Ryan broke the Yankees winning streak in 2025. All the Twins need to do to gain some respectibility is to make the playoffs, and Ryan can help them to do that. That's how the owners & the FO's maintain some value in their franchises. Of course they want to sell tickets and earn TV money. But they can't do that without winning some games. I think that Ryan will be sticking around in 2026. The FO has a plan that the fans aren't privy to. 

Google AI:

Yes, the Minnesota Twins beat the Yankees 4-1 on August 14, 2025, thanks to a strong performance from pitcher Joe Ryan. Ryan pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on a home run to Cody Bellinger while striking out seven. The victory also snapped the Twins' nine-game losing streak against the Yankees.  

 

• Pitching: Joe Ryan (12-5) was dominant, giving up only four hits and two walks. His only blemish was a third-inning home run to Cody Bellinger that gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead.
• Offense: The Twins scored all four of their runs in the sixth inning.
  • Kody Clemens broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run double.
  • Royce Lewis followed with an RBI double to drive in Clemens.
• Significance: The win ended a nine-game losing streak for the Twins against the Yankees.

Never use AI....

No twins fan had forgotten. The point is, they are at least two years from being relevant again. He's gone in two years. 

[SteveLV]

Mike Sixel:  "Not nearly enough"----which way?

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, SteveLV said:

Mike Sixel:  "Not nearly enough"----which way?

Twins would get more, sorry, meant to type that. He also just had wrist surgery.....which is why they'd get more (even though, he's an elite prospect, he's only 1). 

[SteveLV]

Gotcha, I agree, but he would be the headliner as, potentially, a long-term masher at 1B.

[Mike Sixel]

5 hours ago, SteveLV said:

Gotcha, I agree, but he would be the headliner as, potentially, a long-term masher at 1B.

If the wrist isn't an issue. Makes me nervous even though it was a bone spur. 

[sun]

19 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Never use AI....

No twins fan had forgotten. The point is, they are at least two years from being relevant again. He's gone in two years. 

So if he could stick for 2 more years, then you would agree that he could be part of the Twins plan to try to make it to the playoffs. 

Would you even follow the Twins if you didn't think that they could possibly make the playoffs each and every year?

II think that most would agree that the Twins chances of making the playoffs are better with Ryan than without him...especially as a pitcher who has been able to beat the Yankees.

Let's agree to the obvious facts.

Included is that Ryan is an ace in the hole, and that he's more affordable and has a better health history than Pablo. 

That's why I think that he sticks, because he's an integral part of the Twins plan to be competitive sooner rather than later, and with the goal of making the playoffs.

Because most fans would rather waste time talking about trading Ryan, it shows that they either forgot or could care less about having a pitcher that can beat teams like the Yankees with a bunch of scrub players leftover from after the deadline sell off.

IMO the fact that they kept Ryan shows that they're committed to keeping him, at least for a while. I think that folks should get used to the reality that Ryan will most likely be sticking around for a while because Ryan represents hope for the Twins in 2026 and possibly beyond. If the Twins do want to sell season tickets and TV subscriptions for next season, they need to retain some star power on the roster. And Ryan is an important part of it.

 

[Mike Sixel]

6 minutes ago, sun said:

So if he could stick for 2 more years, then you would agree that he could be part of the Twins plan to try to make it to the playoffs. 

Would you even follow the Twins if you didn't think that they could possibly make the playoffs each and every year?

II think that most would agree that the Twins chances of making the playoffs are better with Ryan than without him...especially as a pitcher who has been able to beat the Yankees.

Let's agree to the obvious facts.

Included is that Ryan is an ace in the hole, and that he's more affordable and has a better health history than Pablo. 

That's why I think that he sticks, because he's an integral part of the Twins plan to be competitive sooner rather than later, and with the goal of making the playoffs.

Because most fans would rather waste time talking about trading Ryan, it shows that they either forgot or could care less about having a pitcher that can beat teams like the Yankees with a bunch of scrub players leftover from after the deadline sell off.

IMO the fact that they kept Ryan shows that they're committed to keeping him, at least for a while. I think that folks should get used to the reality that Ryan will most likely be sticking around for a while because Ryan represents hope for the Twins in 2026 and possibly beyond. If the Twins do want to sell season tickets and TV subscriptions for next season, they need to retain some star power on the roster. And Ryan is an important part of it.

 

Season ticket sales are correlated with the previous year's record.. no casual game is buying then this year. Keeping Ryan moves them from 70 to 75 wins. I don't acknowledge at all Ryan gets them close to the playoffs. They have no bullpen. No first baseman. No shortstop. An iffy third baseman. One OF and one catcher. This team is at least two years from being good, and he's home by then. 

Your thought that people disagree with you don't care or don't remember isn't true. If we didn't care, we wouldn't be here. 

[sun]

33 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Season ticket sales are correlated with the previous year's record.. no casual game is buying then this year. Keeping Ryan moves them from 70 to 75 wins. I don't acknowledge at all Ryan gets them close to the playoffs. They have no bullpen. No first baseman. No shortstop. An iffy third baseman. One OF and one catcher. This team is at least two years from being good, and he's home by then. 

Your thought that people disagree with you don't care or don't remember isn't true. If we didn't care, we wouldn't be here. 

That's a laugh and a half. Most fans don't have enough business sense to protect an over one billion Dollar investment. Folks must think that the FO wants to just run the team into the ground without any hope for the future. Trade for a 1st baseman &/or a catcher, or propects with there being 2 years of control left for a Yankee killer? Folks should get real and just admit that Ryan isn't going anywhere soon. The Twins will be keeping him to make money & win games. That's a good & sound business decision. Sakes alive! Ryan was a 2025 All Star.

[Mike Sixel]

8 minutes ago, sun said:

That's a laugh and a helf. Most fans don't have enough business sense to protect an over one billion Dollar investment. Folks must think that the FO wants to just run the team into the ground without any hope for the future. Trade for a 1st baseman &/or a catcher, or propects with there being 2 years of control left for a Yankee killer? Folks should get real and just admit that Ryan isn't going anywhere soon. The Twins will be keeping him to make money & win games. That's a good & sound business decision. Sakes alive! Ryan was a 2025 All Star.

 speechless 

[Major League Ready]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

 speechless 

I had the same thought until the old Ray Stevens Lyric came to mind ... There is none so blind as he who will not see.  That quote actually goes back to the 1500s so it's been a thing for a long time.  What's really amazing is that the one thing we all agree on is that this team sucks.  Yet, we can be a playoff team if we just keep Ryan and replace the guys we traded.  Of course, we could not replace the guys we traded in free agency even if we spent $160M.  

[tony&rodney]

Toronto went from last to first. What do they have that the Twins lack?

Guerrero Jr., Springer, Bichette, and Kirk are well supported by Clement, Varsho, and others.

The Twins have Byron Buxton.

Will the Twins spend $160M in 2026 on their roster? Each person is free to conclude themsleves.

Throughout the comment section there are occasional references to Pittsburgh, Colorado, and the Chicago White Sox. How did the Twins do against those teams last season? There is your answer to what fans can expect if there are not significant changes. The talent simply does not currently exist within the roster. We should not only expect change, we should call for it.

[Mike Sixel]

I count 35 AA (or more advanced) players ranked 50 or higher by Fangraphs on playoff teams or teams even close to playoffs (no teams in the Twins division included). 

The Mets have an amazing 6 of those,, three of which are SP. That's your target, IMO. 

Most teams have 1-3 at most. It will be VERY hard to get multiple highly rated prospects from most teams because of that.....IF you want players that will be in MN in 26 or 27.