Joe Ryan Will (Wisely) Not Pitch for Team USA

[Seth Stohs]

After Team USA clinched a spot in the Quarterfinals round of the World Baseball Classic, speculation was that Joe Ryan would replace Clayton Kershaw on the Team USA roster. 

Following their quarterfinal win over Team Canada on Friday night, Kershaw officially said that he was retiring. It was quickly announced that Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman was replacing Kershaw. But it was possible there could still be more moves. On Saturday afternoon, we got confirmation that Joe Ryan will be sticking with the Twins rather than joining Team USA in Miami. 

Selfishly from the Twins perspective, I think it's a good decision. Since he was slowed to start spring training and is still working his way to be ready near Opening Day, it doesn't make a lot of sense to have him push himself to max effort. Paul Skenes is making the start for the USA in Sunday night's semi-final game against the Dominican Republic. The four pitchers added to the USA roster since pool play have all been relievers. Presumably, Ryan could be lined up to make the start for Team USA in the championship game (if the US gets past the DR).       

Logan Webb has been tremendous for Team USA this year. In two starts, he has thrown 8 2/3 scoreless innings. He was in a similar situation during the last WBC. He wasn't quite 100% and he was about to make some money, so he didn't pitch.  Likewise, with a strong, healthy 2026 season, Ryan would line himself up for a lucrative extension with the Twins or with another team. 

Selfishly as a baseball fan, it would have been fun to watch him pitch for Team USA. Think about it. When the Twins traded Nelson Cruz to the Rays in 2021, Ryan (and Simeon Woods Richardson) was in Tokyo, pitching for Team USA in the Olympics. So had he made the decision to go pitch for Team USA, one really couldn't fault him at all. 

This is one of those scenarios that doesn't necessarily have one right and/or wrong answer.  My hope is simply that Joe Ryan is happy with the choice and then has another All-Star caliber season. 

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[thelanges5]

Feel like I will probably be in the minority on this site, but the Twins should try to extend Joe Ryan. Luzardo is a little younger but something like the 5yr, $135k he just signed. 

[Over The Hill Again]

1 hour ago, thelanges5 said:

Feel like I will probably be in the minority on this site, but the Twins should try to extend Joe Ryan. Luzardo is a little younger but something like the 5yr, $135k he just signed. 

I’m in agreement. We deserve something nice once in a while. 

[notoriousgod71]

I would rather watch Joe Ryan win USA a championship than pitch three months for this 65 win team and then get traded for the type of return we got last year.

 

He is just as likely to injure himself in a random game/side session as a game that means something.

[DarrenPS]

23 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

Feel like I will probably be in the minority on this site, but the Twins should try to extend Joe Ryan. Luzardo is a little younger but something like the 5yr, $135k he just signed. 

Agreed, and with Pablo hurting his elbow they should lock him up too. It give him financial security and will be cheaper cause of the injury. Just a thought

[bean5302]

I don't see any value in extending Joe Ryan or Pablo Lopez right now. None. I see very little from either player's perspective, either.

Neither Lopez nor Ryan make the cut as bone fide ace caliber pitchers in my book. They've been solid playoff caliber starters the past couple of years, and Joe Ryan's 2025 had particiularly impressive results, but with FIPs suggesting quite a bit of luck on his side (it's important to note Ryan's career results are all in line ERA/FIP/xFIP).

Of the two, Joe Ryan would be my preference to extend, but I still don't see a good reason to do it if the Twins aren't going to $150MM+ in the payroll department, but it's very important to note extending a player in their Arb 3 season is now a TOTALLY different ballgame after the Skubal decision. There is no "Joe Ryan takes a discount" concept anymore. He's going to make $20MM next year in Arb 3 if he delivers another 3 WAR season. 

What does locking up a #2-3 starter do for the Twins? Having a jersey you recognize while the team loses 100 games? IDGAF.

Signing free agents and extending deep into free agency means the team's player development department failed. Period. It's about 4x more expensive to buy free agency WAR than team controlled WAR. For infinite payroll teams like the Dodgers, no big deal. For payroll constrained teams like the Twins, it's reckless. All it takes is one step back and the Twins have a $25MM Phil Hughes on the roster.