Report: Twins Were Offered Two Top Red Sox Prospects for Joe Ryan at Last Year's Deadline

According to Alex Speier from The Boston Globe, the Twins were offered a huge package in exchange for RHP Joe Ryan. 

Left-handed pitcher Payton Tolle is a 23-year-old. He was the Red Sox second-round pick in 2024 out of Texas Christian.  Early in the 2025 season, he jumped to the top of the Red Sox prospect rankings. At the end of August, he was called up by the Red Sox and made three starts and four relief appearances. He was in the Red Sox bullpen in the playoffs 

He began the 2026 season at Triple-A. He made three starts and went 2-0 with a 3.03 ERA. Since he has made 16 starts and is 5-6 despite an ERA of 3.31. At 6-5 and over 250 pounds, he has a big fastball and breaking pitches with and without velocity. 

Franklin Arias was always a well thought of prospect. Before the 2025 season, he was in Top 100 rankings. He began this season as a Top 50 prospect. He began this season where he ended last season, in Double-A. In 75 games for Portland, he hit .318/.407/.587 (.993) with 17 doubles and 19 home runs. Just this weekend, he earned a promotion to Triple-A Worcester.   

He is now a Top 5 prospect in all of baseball and right on the cusp of the big leagues.   

From the Boston Globe, "The Sox ended up with a deadline fizzle of Dustin May and Steven Matz while whiffing on a much bigger swing. They made a push to acquire All-Star starter Joe Ryan from the Twins. According to multiple sources, the team was willing to send Minnesota its top two prospects: High-A shortstop Franklin Arias and Double-A lefthander Payton Tolle."

Of course, Twins fans know all about Joe Ryan. He came to the Twins five years ago from the Rays in exchange for Nelson Cruz. He was the team's opening day starter in 2022. He's been very good, making the All-Star team for the American League each of the past two seasons. 

"According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, the Red Sox offered left-handed pitcher Payton Tolle and current top prospect shortstop Franklin Arias in exchange for Ryan. It’s a trade that many in Boston likely would not hesitate to make at the time, but the conversation has changed after the season Tolle has had and Arias’ continued rise through the organization’s farm system."

Ryan has one more year of team control before he can become a free agent. 

Would a package of Tolle and Frias have be enough for you to click "Yes" on the trade offer have been enough for you to like it last summer? Remember, Tolle was in AA and Arias was in High-A. How about right now? Would you need a couple more lottery ticket prospects too?