Could the Giants be a Suitor for Joe Ryan?

[Ray Stuedemann]

Image courtesy of Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The Twins currently possess an accumulation of starting pitchers heading into 2027, potentially making Joe Ryan a name to watch on the trade market this offseason as he enters his last year of arbitration. While Ryan has established himself as a high-end arm over the past few seasons, concerns about with his consecutive second half falloffs has led many to question if he is going to be a Twin long term.

Minnesota’s pitching depth could create an opportunity for the Twins to move what should be a valuable asset in exchange for some help elsewhere on the roster or in the minor leagues. The San Francisco Giants stand out as a fit among trade partners. A potential deal would depend on Minnesota’s willingness to part with the two-time All Star as well as San Francisco’s willingness to trade high-value players or prospects.

It would be difficult for the Twins to trade one of their better pitchers in recent memory. Ryan has been worth 13.7 career fWAR through six seasons in Minnesota, pitching to a 3.79 ERA (3.80 FIP) in 786. total innings. However, his first-half versus second-half splits are a cause of concern. His career ERA in the first half is 3.17, compared to 4.98 in the second half, whereas in 2026 his ERA skyrocketed from 2.85 pre-All-Star break to 6.82 after. Still, Ryan is an elite arm when he is on, and maybe new pitching coach Brian Reith will be able to unlock Ryan’s effectiveness into the second half.

Interestingly enough, Ryan does have some connection to the Giants. He is from San Francisco, so this would be a homecoming for the now 30-year-old. The Giants also took a flier on Ryan in the draft before he went to college, selecting him in the 39th round of the 2014 MLB draft. Of course, Ryan didn’t sign and was selected by Tampa Bay in the 7th round four years later.

So, why would the Giants do this? Outside of Logan Webb, injuries and trades have removed a lot of top options from the 2026 Giants rotation. Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle were traded to the Padres and Braves respectively at the deadline, while young pitchers like Carson Whisenhunt, Blade Tidwell, Hayden Birdsong, and Trevor McDonald suffered significant elbow injuries in 2026.

President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey has swung big in the past as well, signing shortstop Willy Adames to the largest contract in team history and trading for slugging first baseman Rafael Devers back in 2025. Posey could look to make a few big time moves this offseason to compete in the challenging N.L. West, and one of those moves could be an arm like Ryan to slot behind Webb in the rotation.

As for the Twins, there are lots of options when it comes to the starting rotation in 2027. Ryan, Pablo Lopez, and Taj Bradley would be the clear 1-2-3, but there are too many names for not enough spots. Bailey Ober, Zebby Matthews, Deam Kremer, Connor Prielipp, Mick Abel, and Kendry Rojas could all start games for Minnesota in 2027, so something has to give with the rotation. Moving Ryan may not make sense completely, but if management does not plan on signing him to an extension anyway, they should try to get something for him.

The Giants have the fifth-best farm system according MLB.com, containing five top-100 prospects including the recent #4 overall draft pick, starting pitcher Jackson Flora. Tarik Skubal was traded to the Dodgers at the deadline as a rental this past season for three prospects, two of whom were in MLB.com’s top 100. Ryan is obviously not on Skubal's level as a starter, but with the full year of control versus two months, the return should be in somewhat the same range. He should net at least one top-100 prospect and additional pieces from San Francisco if he were to be moved there.

Ultimately, a Joe Ryan trade could make sense for both sides. San Francisco has the prospect ammo to make a move after their teardown at this past trade deadline, while Minnesota could get good value for a player they may not re-sign to begin with. While his second-half struggles could raise some questions about his overall value, Ryan's track record as an effective, frontline starter at a price tag under $10 million should make him attractive to numerous teams if the Twins were to make him available. San Francisco clearly has the prospect capital to make it happen, so if Buster Posey wants to make an impactful move and put faith back into the hearts of Giants fans, bringing Ryan home to the Bay Area could be an intriguing place to start.

What are your thoughts? Could the Twins trade Ryan to the Giants? Who would you want in return?

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[LastOnePicked]

"The Twins currently possess an accumulation of starting pitchers heading into 2027"

Every MLB team has "an accumulation of starting pitchers." That's not the same thing as depth. After Taj Bradley, this rotation is all question marks, including the return of the staff "ace" who missed a huge chunk of 2025 and all of 2026.

We maybe need to stop promoting the fiction that the Twins' starting pitching is a playoff-caliber strength. If they're trading Ryan and rebuilding, they couldn't possibly have chosen a worse time. If they're trading Ryan and claiming they're going to compete, they're an even more foolish organization than they already seem.

Rehabilitate Ryan. If they're firmly in the WC hunt at the deadline, keep him. If they're even a game below .500 at the deadline, start selling.

[thelanges5]

Ryan for Casey Schmitt and a lottery AA pitcher. 

[farmerguychris]

Only way I'd want to trade him is if we can get 2 'just about ready' starting pitchers in return.  Wouldn't mind to see Pohlad demonstrate his 'go big or go home' demonstrated by signing him to an extension instead.

[MeleMouth]

Great idea. The organization needs an infusion of talent. Don't hang onto the stars again and turn 2027 into another "competitive rebuild" season where the team isn't successful at either competing or rebuilding.

[Brett]

Do you really want to deny me a Lopez, Ryan, Bradley rotation in the first series of the year? That’s just mean.

[Jacksson]

Yea, maybe we can get the next SAM DYSON or SHAUN ARMSTRONG in return !!

[mike8791]

Zoll should be looking at a Ryan trade now!  They're not going to resign him and yes, they do have a surplus of capable starters now.  If Pohlad was serious about spending & contending, Devers would be a very tempting target.  Yes, it would take a large $ commitment, but worth it to land a real 1B/cleanup hitter.  Maybe tossing Lewis in the pot would result in SF absorbing some salary.  Bottom line - this is the type of move that can reawaken the fan base and improve chances for real contention.

[Linus]

What happened to Bryce Eldridge? At one point he looked like the type of player the Twins should target. 

[IndianaTwin]

Why would a team that finished 32 games below .500 and 35 games out of first be interested in a player with one year of control? That’s a team likely more interested in trading any Joe Ryans they have TO the Twins in exchange for prospects. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

2 hours ago, farmerguychris said:

Only way I'd want to trade him is if we can get 2 'just about ready' starting pitchers in return.  Wouldn't mind to see Pohlad demonstrate his 'go big or go home' demonstrated by signing him to an extension instead.

Or 1 almost ready starter and 1 high upside prospect. SF isn’t trading away almost ready. They aren’t 1 starter away from a long post season run.

 

[Mike Sixel]

The Brewers traded their best pitcher in this position two years ago ....

If they can get one top prospect and another good prospect, do it.

[Mike Sixel]

51 minutes ago, Linus said:

What happened to Bryce Eldridge? At one point he looked like the type of player the Twins should target. 

He's not leaving SF at this point. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

53 minutes ago, mike8791 said:

Zoll should be looking at a Ryan trade now!  They're not going to resign him and yes, they do have a surplus of capable starters now.  If Pohlad was serious about spending & contending, Devers would be a very tempting target.  Yes, it would take a large $ commitment, but worth it to land a real 1B/cleanup hitter.  Maybe tossing Lewis in the pot would result in SF absorbing some salary.  Bottom line - this is the type of move that can reawaken the fan base and improve chances for real contention.

I would not take Devers and his $225 million contract over the next 7 years if he were given to the Twins. That is an average of $32.14 MILLION a year for the next SEVEN years. Whoa Nellie !

[bean5302]

Ryan is worth what Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews or Matt Wallner was last offseason.

Are the Giants suitors? I'm sure they'd be interested in Ryan, but for the right price. I'd imagine we would get Jacob Bresnahan. 

Or a Joe Whitman + Matt Wilkinson or something like that.

People thinking Joe Ryan is bringing back a top 100 prospect are in la-la land.

[Cory Engelhardt]

17 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I would not take Devers and his $225 million contract over the next 7 years if he were given to the Twins. That is an average of $32.14 MILLION a year for the next SEVEN years. Whoa Nellie !

He turns 30 next week, just for comparison. I might want him in the middle of the lineup

[tony&rodney]

There is a decent chance Ryan pitches for a West Coast team in 2028. Maybe SanFran can be an option for a trade. It just doesn't make a ton of sense for the Giants to give up too much unless Ryan agrees to sign a friendly extension if he goes to the Bay Area. 

The Cubs might be interested in a Ryan and Lewis for Busch deal. Ryan is hard to find a deal for that makes sense. The Twins missed out on his value, so maybe just ride out 2027 and lose him after the season.

[JBK]

Why?

[thelanges5]

Not the Giants but how about Joe and Royce to the A’s for Langeliers?

[Mike Sixel]

46 minutes ago, thelanges5 said:

Not the Giants but how about Joe and Royce to the A’s for Langeliers?

Why are the As trading for a pitcher with one year of control?

[Andy MacPhail]

I wasn't in favor of most of the '25 selloff, but trading Ryan at that time would have made much more sense than now.

[MeleMouth]

3 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

There is a decent chance Ryan pitches for a West Coast team in 2028. Maybe SanFran can be an option for a trade. It just doesn't make a ton of sense for the Giants to give up too much unless Ryan agrees to sign a friendly extension if he goes to the Bay Area. 

The Cubs might be interested in a Ryan and Lewis for Busch deal. Ryan is hard to find a deal for that makes sense. The Twins missed out on his value, so maybe just ride out 2027 and lose him after the season.

Busch is about to enter the decline phase of his career, as a 1B, which doesn't align with the expected growth in the Twins' other position players nor the young starting pitchers. 

[MeleMouth]

1 hour ago, thelanges5 said:

Not the Giants but how about Joe and Royce to the A’s for Langeliers?

Langaliers is not a good defensive C and he's about to become expensive and enter the decline phase of his career, so his prime will not align with the Twins' young core. 

[Mike Sixel]

37 minutes ago, Andy MacPhail said:

I wasn't in favor of most of the '25 selloff, but trading Ryan at that time would have made much more sense than now.

But they didn't. The question is what to do now. 

We know they won't trade him, unless they also trade for our sign another guy, Tommy boy isn't going to let them not play meaningful games in July. 

[TheLeviathan]

4 hours ago, Linus said:

What happened to Bryce Eldridge? At one point he looked like the type of player the Twins should target. 

After a tough start he pretty much spent the rest of the year destroying the ball.  He ain't going anywhere.

And yeah...that should've been a target the Twins pursued last year.

[Linus]

17 minutes ago, TheLeviathan said:

After a tough start he pretty much spent the rest of the year destroying the ball.  He ain't going anywhere.

And yeah...that should've been a target the Twins pursued last year.

Thanks for the update. I was hoping for that kind of move - don’t know if there is an equivalent out there now. The Twins just don’t seem to have the insight or courage to strike when they need to.