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If the Minnesota Twins trade Joe Ryan at this year’s deadline, it better be for a deal that makes them truly stop in their tracks. Ryan is the type of player small and mid-market teams try to build around: a young, durable, strike-throwing All-Star with 2.5 years of team control and the demeanor to pitch at the top of a rotation. Reports have suggested the Twins are not actively shopping him, and they shouldn’t be. But if a contender is desperate enough, and the Twins are offered a truly game-changing return, the front office at least owes it to themselves to listen. This piece isn't advocating for a Ryan trade, but it does explore what "blown away" would look like. And it starts with a package headlined by a global Top 25 prospect. These are the caliber of names that would make the Twins have to think long and hard about giving up their prized young ace.
Leo De Vries, San Diego Padres, SS
Prospect Rankings:
MLB Pipeline: #3
Baseball America: #6
The Athletic: #13
Leo De Vries is one of the fastest-rising stars in the minor leagues. The switch-hitting shortstop was the top international prospect in the 2024 class and has already made it to High-A ball at just 18 years old. His profile is loaded: elite swing speed, premium exit velocities, speed on the basepaths, and the kind of glove and arm combo that should stick at shortstop long-term. It’s not hard to imagine him becoming the number one prospect in baseball within the next year or two.
It would take a haul to pry him away from the Padres, but for a player like Joe Ryan, who is not only under control through 2026 but could start Game 1 of a playoff series, San Diego could be tempted. A.J. Preller has a well-documented history of going all in at the deadline, flipping top prospects like James Wood and CJ Abrams in the Juan Soto trade. Now sitting in a hyper-competitive NL West and watching the Dodgers stumble with injuries, this could be the moment Preller again pushes all his chips to the center of the table.
Jesús Made, Milwaukee Brewers, SS/3B
Prospect Rankings:
MLB Pipeline: #7
Baseball America: #4
The Athletic: #5
Another young infielder with top-of-the-scale upside, Jesús Made might be the type of player who makes the Twins pause and consider a Ryan trade. The switch-hitting Dominican burst onto the scene as a Dominican Summer League All-Star, slashing .331/.458/.554 with six homers, 28 steals, and an absurd 28-to-39 strikeout-to-walk ratio in just 51 games. Evaluators rave about his plate discipline and underlying metrics, and even if he doesn’t stick at shortstop, his bat could make him an elite third baseman with future number one overall prospect potential.
The Brewers are white-hot, winning 13 of their last 15 and currently boasting the best record in the majors. They already have the top ERA in the National League, but adding Joe Ryan could give them a playoff rotation that few teams can match.
Bryce Eldridge, San Francisco Giants, OF
Prospect Rankings:
MLB Pipeline: #17
Baseball America: #22
The Athletic: #28
Bryce Eldridge, the 16th overall pick in the 2023 draft, is the type of slugger you dream on. At 6-foot-7 with top-of-the-scale raw power, Eldridge moved from Single-A to Triple-A as a 19-year-old in his first full professional season. His left-handed swing is quick and powerful, and he generates elite exit velocities that have some projecting him as a 35 to 45 homer bat in the majors. While his glove doesn’t stand out and he’s unlikely to be a defensive asset, his bat alone makes him a high-ceiling player.
The Giants are firmly in the playoff race at 54–49 and in need of rotation help behind Logan Webb and a rehabbing Robbie Ray. They’ve shown they’re willing to make impact moves at the deadline when the time is right. San Francisco has proven they’re willing to be bold, swinging a huge deal for Rafael Devers earlier this season. They’ve sent a clear message: they’re going for it in 2025.
Josue De Paula, Los Angeles Dodgers, OF
Prospect Rankings:
MLB Pipeline: #22
Baseball America: #21
The Athletic: #17
Josue De Paula offers a tantalizing mix of youth, power, and plate discipline. The 19-year-old left-handed hitter slashed .268/.404/.405 with 10 homers across two Class A levels last season. He controls the strike zone extremely well and has the ability to make hard contact to all fields. He’s already projected to develop 30-plus homer power and likely profiles as a corner outfielder in the long run. Scouts love his polish and projectability.
The Dodgers have lost 11 of their last 15 games and are dealing with injuries across their pitching staff. Still, with the second-highest payroll in baseball and championship expectations, they are always a threat to make a splash. Pairing Joe Ryan with Yoshinobu Yamamoto would give Los Angeles a formidable top of the rotation while also serving as a hedge against health questions surrounding Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow. De Paula is one of their crown jewels, but the Dodgers have moved top names in the past when the stakes were high enough.
What do you think? Would you be willing to trade Joe Ryan if a Top 25 global prospect is coming back? Or should the Twins keep their ace no matter the offer? Which of the above names is most intriguing to you? Let us know in the comments.







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