The Minnesota Twins are clinging to the fringe of contention in a tight American League playoff race. Still, their front office may soon face a franchise-defining question: Do they trade their top starting pitcher while his value is at its absolute peak?

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi floated the idea this week that the Boston Red Sox and “a number of teams” are keeping tabs on Joe Ryan as the deadline approaches. Now, Morosi’s comment leaned speculative, but when a name like Ryan enters the rumor mill, it’s enough to raise eyebrows—and for good reason.

Ryan has been one of the best starting pitchers in the American League this year. Through 18 starts, he’s compiled a sparkling 2.76 ERA and a minuscule 0.89 WHIP. He’s fanned 116 batters while issuing just 21 walks in 104 1/3 innings. Opponents are hitting .193/.254/.335 against him. His 3.9 rWAR leads all Twins (0.6 rWAR higher than Byron Buxton) and ranks among the top pitchers in baseball. And somehow, he was snubbed from the initial All-Star Game selections, which was thankfully rectified on Wednesday. 

Ryan is succeeding because he’s evolving. His release point remains one of the most deceptive in baseball, with hitters struggling to pick up a four-seamer that plays up despite modest velocity (93.4 mph in 2025). His four-seamer is one of baseball’s most valuable pitches. He’s mixed in a sweeper with bite (.262 xSLG), sharpened his splitter (.212 BA), and continues to keep left-handed hitters in check (.633 OPS). He’s an entirely different pitcher from the fastball-heavy prospect the Twins originally acquired at the 2021 trade deadline.

At 29 years old, Ryan is under team control for two more years after 2025, and his profile (with a deep arsenal, elite command, and deceptive delivery) makes him an incredibly appealing trade chip. If the Twins are willing to entertain offers, contenders should be lining up. Here’s a look at six potential suitors who could make a big push for Ryan, and why he’d be worth the price.

Boston Red Sox: The Center of the Speculation
Morosi mentioned the Red Sox by name, even floating the idea of a Joe Ryan-for-Jarren Duran framework. This is something discussed earlier this week at Twins Daily. Duran, an All-Star in 2024, has been a fixture atop Boston’s lineup, leading the league in plate appearances while playing nearly every game for two years running. For the Twins, who’ve struggled to get production from their best players, Duran’s consistency and athleticism would be a significant boost.

Boston just dealt Rafael Devers, suggesting they’re open to retooling but not tearing down. Ryan would instantly help the top of their rotation, providing some much-needed rotation stability in 2025 and beyond. It’s hard to gauge if they’d honestly part with Duran, but if they’re serious about pitching, Ryan has been a borderline All-Star for multiple seasons.

Chicago Cubs: Rotation Needs and Prospect Capital
The Cubs’ rotation has been impacted by injuries, with Justin Steele being the most significant subtraction. He underwent season-ending UCL surgery on April 18. Also missing from the rotation is Jameson Taillon, who has a right calf strain. Chicago is surprising many at the top of the NL Central and could benefit from adding a frontline starter who isn’t a rental.

They also have the prospect capital to make it happen, and some reports have them willing to go “all-in.” There is some speculation that they would be willing to trade top prospects Owen Caissie or Kevin Alcántara if that lands them the right pitchers. The Cubs are well-positioned to make an October run, and Ryan could headline their staff for multiple seasons. 

Houston Astros: Preparing for a Post-Valdez Rotation
The Astros are in an awkward spot: still competitive and still dangerous, but clearly no longer the juggernaut they once were. However, they have jumped ahead in the AL West and are looking to keep their winning window open as long as possible. Framber Valdez is set to hit free agency this winter, and Cristian Javier is out until later this year with Tommy John surgery. The Astros are always looking to upgrade, and Ryan could take Valdez’s rotation spot in 2026. 

Ryan could be the perfect plug-and-play answer. He fits their mold of high-efficiency strike-throwers and would give them a cost-controlled, playoff-caliber starter to go with Hunter Brown and Valdez. The Astros have thinned out their system, but outfielder Jacob Melton and catcher Walker Janek are intriguing pieces who could headline a deal.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Never Count Them Out
If there’s a big name available, assume the Dodgers are interested, especially when it comes to starting pitching. Ryan fits like a glove in Los Angeles, as he is analytically inclined, strikes out hitters with command and deception, and brings a bulldog mentality to the mound. He’s also a California boy, so that adds to the intrigue. The Dodgers have the ability to overwhelm with prospect depth and would likely be willing to include one of their top prospects in the right deal.

Could the Twins pry away someone like Josue De Paula or Zyhir Hope? Perhaps a long-term pitching solution like Jackson Ferris? Ryan wouldn’t just be a short-term fix for LA’s rotation, as he’d be a foundational piece alongside Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Shohei Ohtani.

New York Mets: Pitching-Starved and Prospect-Rich
The Mets are aggressive. They’ve already shown a willingness to be aggressive with trades and free agency, and Steve Cohen’s deep pockets mean there’s never really a full rebuild. Currently, the Mets have five starting pitchers on the injured list, including Tylor Megill, Griffin Canning, Paul Blackburn, Kodai Senga, and Sean Manaea. New York has a clear need for a starter with top-of-the-line stuff.

Ryan would give them a weapon in the NL East arms race and fits their desire to acquire players under control beyond 2025. Minnesota could target infielder/outfielder Jett Williams, right-handed pitcher Jonah Tong, or even explore a deal built around outfielder Carson Benge. Cohen wants his teams to make long playoff runs, and Ryan can help make that happen for the Mets. 

New York Yankees: Reinforcements Needed Now
Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil are all out, and the Yankees have played poorly in recent weeks. This isn’t the powerhouse Yankees of old, but they are still likely to be one of baseball’s most active teams at the deadline. If New York wants to return to the World Series, it needs rotational upgrades as soon as possible. 

Ryan would not only deepen the Yankees’ rotation for October, but also give them an option beyond this season. Could the Twins aim high and ask for infielder George Lombard Jr. or outfielder Spencer Jones? The Yankees have pitching prospects like right-handers Ben Hess and Bryce Cunningham, if Minnesota wants to continue building depth on the mound.

Would the Twins Actually Do It?
It’s a fair question, and one that’s likely being debated internally. Trading Ryan wouldn’t be a white flag on the season, but it would be a bold move for a team still chasing a playoff berth. The return would need to be substantial. Think multiple top-100 prospects, or a cost-controlled MLB regular and a high-ceiling arm.

But if there’s a time to trade Ryan, it’s now. He’s pitching like a frontline ace, he’s healthy, and he has team-friendly control. If the Twins believe they can build a more sustainable winner by flipping him for long-term pieces, this deadline could turn into a franchise pivot point.

What do you think, Twins fans? Would you trade Joe Ryan, if it meant getting a star outfielder like Jarren Duran or multiple top prospects? Or is Ryan too valuable to let go? Drop your thoughts below and let the deadline debate begin.