Twins Decline Options on Joe Ryan and Josh Bell

[Cody Christie]

The Minnesota Twins made a pair of expected decisions as the offseason officially gets underway. According to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes, the club declined its side of mutual options for starting pitcher Joe Ryan and first baseman Josh Bell, allowing both players to enter the next phase of their respective contract situations.

While neither decision comes as a major surprise, the two players have very different paths forward. Ryan remains under team control for another season, while Bell is free to explore opportunities with other organizations.

Joe Ryan Remains Under Team Control

Minnesota declined its portion of a $13 million mutual option with Ryan. However, this doesn't mean the right-hander is headed to free agency just yet. He remains arbitration-eligible for one more season before becoming a free agent following the 2027 campaign. MLB Trade Rumors projects Ryan to earn $9.6 million through arbitration. That would represent a significant salary increase, but it would still give Minnesota a relatively affordable opportunity to retain one of its most important starting pitchers.

Ryan has established himself as a reliable rotation presence since making his major league debut in 2021. His combination of strike-throwing ability, swing-and-miss stuff, and willingness to attack hitters has made him an important part of Minnesota's pitching staff.

He also brings considerable value because of his ability to miss bats. Ryan's fastball and splitter combination has helped him become one of the more recognizable pitchers in the organization's rotation. His consistency has made him a valuable trade asset, and his name has surfaced in discussions about Minnesota potentially reshaping its roster.

Ryan experienced some ups and downs during the 2026 season. He was particularly effective during the first half, posting a 3.17 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. However, his performance dipped after the All-Star break, when he recorded a 4.99 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.

That second-half performance adds another layer to Minnesota's decision-making process. The Twins have to determine whether Ryan fits into their plans for 2027 or whether his remaining year of team control makes this an appropriate time to explore his trade value.

Either way, declining the mutual option doesn't close the door on Ryan returning to Minnesota. The arbitration process gives the organization another opportunity to keep him in the rotation without committing to a long-term contract.

Josh Bell Heads to Free Agency

Minnesota also declined its option on the $10 million mutual option with Bell, making the veteran first baseman a free agent. Bell signed a one-year contract last offseason that guaranteed him $7 million. The mutual option gave both sides the opportunity to continue the relationship in 2027, but neither had much incentive to exercise it. Bell walks away with his $5.5 million salary, a $250,000 signing bonus, and a $1.25 million buyout.

There wasn't anything particularly earth-shattering about his 2026 performance. Across 154 games, Bell hit .255 with a .738 OPS. He endured another slow start before finishing with a 106 OPS+, putting him slightly above league-average offensive production.

Bell launched 21 home runs, just one shy of his 2025 total. He has remained a fairly consistent offensive contributor since 2023, making him a potentially attractive option for teams seeking an experienced first baseman or designated hitter. Now 34, Bell posted 0.7 fWAR in 2026. FanGraphs valued that production at approximately $5.6 million, making another short-term contract a reasonable possibility.

Two Different Offseason Paths

The Twins' decisions create flexibility without necessarily signaling the end of their relationship with Ryan. He remains an important piece of the 2027 rotation, although his trade value could make him an intriguing offseason conversation.

Bell's departure is more straightforward. Minnesota can look elsewhere for first-base production while Bell searches for another opportunity. Neither mutual option was particularly appealing for the organization, making these decisions relatively easy ways to begin the offseason.

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[JBK]

There wasn't anything particularly earth-shattering about his 2026 performance. Across 154 games, Bell hit .255 with a .738 OPS. He endured another slow start before finishing with a 106 OPS+, putting him slightly above league-average offensive production.

Bell was our best run producer and fairly consistent.  Doesn't say much about our lineup.

[DJL44]

Thinking through this offseason, we are going to see a mad dash for talent between Monday and Dec 1. Then we will see a lockout that probably wipes out spring training - except for players off the 40-man roster. Could we see the leftover players accepting high $$ minor league contracts? They would be in camp for spring training and possibly playing for the Saints in April while the owners and the players finish negotiations. Would that be discouraged as crossing the picket line?

[tony&rodney]

10 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Thinking through this offseason, we are going to see a mad dash for talent between Monday and Dec 1. Then we will see a lockout that probably wipes out spring training - except for players off the 40-man roster. Could we see the leftover players accepting high $$ minor league contracts? They would be in camp for spring training and possibly playing for the Saints in April while the owners and the players finish negotiations. Would that be discouraged as crossing the picket line?

That is an interesting thought. It would not be crossing a picket line because the players are not going on strike. The owners are locking out players. As such it seems unlikely the owners would make decisions that go against their position.

I'm wondering how many people believe there will be a lockout that extends into May. Poll?

[DJL44]

13 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I'm wondering how many people believe there will be a lockout that extends into May

I think it wraps up before May. They can play 154 games if it ends halfway through April.

[Jeff K]

While it seemed like an obvious decision to decline Bell's option; I never take it for granted.  Glad they made this decision.

[MeleMouth]

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Thinking through this offseason, we are going to see a mad dash for talent between Monday and Dec 1. Then we will see a lockout that probably wipes out spring training - except for players off the 40-man roster. Could we see the leftover players accepting high $$ minor league contracts? They would be in camp for spring training and possibly playing for the Saints in April while the owners and the players finish negotiations. Would that be discouraged as crossing the picket line?

Interesting idea, but they'll still be members of the union. It would be weird for both management and the union if management locks out all players except those who accept less-valuable contracts, which is what accepting a minor league offer at any salary would be.

[HerbieFan]

4 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Thinking through this offseason, we are going to see a mad dash for talent between Monday and Dec 1. Then we will see a lockout that probably wipes out spring training - except for players off the 40-man roster. Could we see the leftover players accepting high $$ minor league contracts? They would be in camp for spring training and possibly playing for the Saints in April while the owners and the players finish negotiations. Would that be discouraged as crossing the picket line?

Very interesting.  If I had to bet, I'd put it on somewhere around June 1.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

1 hour ago, MeleMouth said:

Interesting idea, but they'll still be members of the union. It would be weird for both management and the union if management locks out all players except those who accept less-valuable contracts, which is what accepting a minor league offer at any salary would be.

Doesn’t the lockout “lockout all members of the union”?

as a collective bargaining strategy I would think divide and conquer would be very advantageous but on the other hand, the point of the lockout is to control when the work stoppage happens.

if there isn’t a full work stoppage, the union could still strike.

[MeleMouth]

1 minute ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Doesn’t the lockout “lockout all members of the union”?

as a collective bargaining strategy I would think divide and conquer would be very advantageous but on the other hand, the point of the lockout is to control when the work stoppage happens.

if there isn’t a full work stoppage, the union could still strike.

I'm not sure if management would let in union members who accepted working rates below what is required by the union. It probably differs from lockout to lockout, industry to industry.

But the other union members would probably be VERY unhappy.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

3 minutes ago, MeleMouth said:

I'm not sure if management would let in union members who accepted working rates below what is required by the union. It probably differs from lockout to lockout, industry to industry.

But the other union members would probably be VERY unhappy.

Concur, Scabs tend to get ostracized

[MeleMouth]

6 minutes ago, MeleMouth said:

I'm not sure if management would let in union members who accepted working rates below what is required by the union. It probably differs from lockout to lockout, industry to industry.

But the other union members would probably be VERY unhappy.

 

[MeleMouth]

2 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Concur, Scabs tend to get ostracized

Wikipedia on former Twin Rick Reed:

In 1995, which was Reed's 10th year of pro ball, he agreed to be a replacement player for the Cincinnati Reds during the 1994 Major League Baseball strike.^[2] Reed's mother, Sylvia, was a diabetic without health insurance, and he was paying her medical bills.^[3]

On July 21, 1995, Reed was recalled by Cincinnati to the consternation of several of his teammates who had gone on strike.^[6]

[bean5302]

Should be interesting to see what happens with Ryan. I don't see any reason for Ryan not to push for arbitration at this point. He's an All Star. I would say that's a "Special Accomplishment" and argue for a salary closer to market value to follow in Skubal's footprint.

Plus, I expect major changes to arbitration coming out of the CBA which will allow for substantial changes to the model.

[MeleMouth]

9 hours ago, JBK said:

There wasn't anything particularly earth-shattering about his 2026 performance. Across 154 games, Bell hit .255 with a .738 OPS. He endured another slow start before finishing with a 106 OPS+, putting him slightly above league-average offensive production.

Bell was our best run producer and fairly consistent.  Doesn't say much about our lineup.

Hitting-wise, Bell's peers last year were Herrera, Bellinger, William Contreras, and Kody Clemens, which shows that he wasn't bad. He was also good in the clubhouse. The value and need for that on the 2027 Twins, however, is unclear, particularly because they need to get off the treadmill of signing new mediocre veterans every year.