The Boston Red Sox were heavily involved in rumors around Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan at the 2025 trade deadline. Though they weren’t able to come to a deal at the time, a positive new update on Ryan has emerged as the Sox look to bolster their rotation heading into the 2026 season.
MLB insider Jeff Passan released a ranking of players who could be traded this offseason for ESPN, and listed Ryan as having a 50 percent chance of moving. The Red Sox are reportedly the top candidate for the 29-year-old all-star.
The Twins are in the midst of a full rebuild after their fire-sale at the trade deadline, and now have three marquee players on the block this offseason. All Boston really needs to do is make a solid offer to Minnesota as they seem more than willing to part with Ryan.
The Red Sox should be able to get away with sending minimal MLB assets for Ryan, as the Twins are building towards the future. Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu remain the most likely options to be included in the deal at the Major League level, and it would then take two or three prospects in addition to get the deal done.
Ryan Would Be a Perfect Fit in Boston
If you don’t know much about Joe Ryan, here’s a quick synopsis on him. He is an elite strikeout pitcher who has an above average fastball and a deep arsenal of secondary pitches, any of which can be used effectively on any given night. He throws from the highly sought after three-quarters arm slot, which give his fastball run to the outside, making it look like a sinker.
He has the durability to pitch a full season and is either a great No. 3 starter or a decent No. 2 with the potential to win that role if his command is effective over a long period.
Boston just acquired Sonny Gray, so picking up Ryan would pretty much solidify the rotation as a top-10 unit in the league with potential to be top-5 or even top-3. If they can acquire Ryan, the Sox rotation would be Garrett Crochet, Ryan, Sonny Gray, Brayan Bello, and then any of about five options for the No. 5 spot.
Personally, I would want a young starter in that No. 5 spot, either Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, or Kyle Harrison. Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck both missed most or all of the 2025 season, and at this point they’re more likely to be used as trade bait or in the bullpen as long-relief options.
Passan Lists Two Red Sox as Trade Candidates This Offseason
Boston wasn’t exempt from Passan’s ranking of trade candidates this offseason. Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu were listed as the No. 7 and No. 13 candidates to move in the ranking. He has both listed as having a 50 percent chance to move.
Red Sox fans have come to love both of these players both on and off the field, but unfortunately it makes sense that one of them has to move to make space for what is a crowded outfield. The emergence of Roman Anthony and the revelation of Ceddanne Rafaela as a gold-glove caliber fielder have forced Boston’s hand; Abreu and Duran are both too good to be used as platoons.
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