The Minnesota Twins are expected to dump salary this winter, and the San Francisco Giants are expected to be aggressive. With franchise legend Buster Posey now overseeing baseball operations, the team appears ready to make significant moves to return to contention. Ownership has given Posey the green light to pursue major trades and free-agent signings, and pitching should be near the top of his list.

One name that could make sense for the Giants is Twins starter Joe Ryan, a California native. The right-hander is coming off the best season of his young career and has become an intriguing target for clubs looking to add a playoff-caliber starter.

Revisiting a Familiar Name
When the Twins put their roster through its own round of right-sizing at this July’s trade deadline, Ryan was one of the few regulars who remained in Minnesota. There were rumors that he had been traded to the Red Sox, but that never came to fruition. However, as the hot stove begins to crackle, his name is resurfacing in trade speculation. Ryan’s profile suits the needs of the Giants (or any contenting team): a controllable starter who provides reliability and value, without the cost of a frontline ace.

Ryan, 28, posted a 3.42 ERA (125 ERA+) across 171 innings in 2025, while striking out 194 batters. He’s under team control for two more seasons, making him a cost-effective option for any contender that values stability in the middle of the rotation. With Robbie Ray and Logan Webb at the top of the Giants’ staff, Ryan would slide comfortably into the No. 3 spot, forming a potent trio that could carry the club through the rigors of a 162-game season.

A Match Built on Prospect Depth
The Giants’ farm system was MLB Pipeline’s most improved system in its last rankings update. It is deep in young infield talent, which could entice Minnesota’s front office. High-ceiling shortstops Josuar Gonzalez and Jhonny Level headline the type of return that could make a Ryan deal worthwhile.

Gonzalez, 18, is one of the more athletic shortstops in the lower levels of the minors, flashing elite defensive instincts and emerging power. MLB Pipeline currently ranks him as San Francisco’s second-best prospect, and he was considered the best position player in the 2025 international signing period. Last season, he hit .288/.404/.455 with a 129 wRC+ in the Dominican Summer League. His speed and improving bat-to-ball skills could make him a long-term fit up the middle, but he’s a long way from impacting the big-league roster. 

Level, an 18-year-old shortstop, has shown an advanced approach at the plate, with a developing ability to impact the baseball. In 2025, he came Stateside and hit .269/.360/.436 (good for a 109 wRC+), while reaching Low-A as a teenager. He is under six feet tall, but has shown an ability to drive the ball to all fields. He has speed and athleticism that should allow him to stick at an up-the-middle defensive position. Both players would help the Twins replenish a farm system that needs infield depth after years of aggressive trades.

Beyond position players, San Francisco could also offer one of its young arms to fill Ryan’s rotation spot in the near future. Landen Roupp and Hayden Birdsong each offer an intriguing mix of control and upside. Roupp’s polished arsenal and ability to limit hard contact could make him an MLB-ready contributor by 2026. The 26-year-old posted a 3.80 ERA with a 105 ERA+ and a 21.4 K% in 106 2/3 innings. He is under team control through 2030.   

Birdsong’s fastball-slider combination gives him the look of a future mid-rotation starter with strikeout potential. His 28.4% whiff rate on opposing batters’ swings ranked in the 74th percentile, with his slider and changeup both above 30%. His overall numbers don’t scream frontline starter (4.80 ERA with a 1.49 WHIP), but he is nearly three years younger than Roupp. He is also under team control through the 2030 season. 

What a Deal Could Mean for Both Clubs
For the Giants, landing Ryan would solidify the top of their rotation and create much-needed balance behind Webb and Ray. It also fits Posey’s plan to modernize San Francisco’s roster with a mix of established veterans and cost-controlled contributors.

For the Twins, moving Ryan would be about continuing their roster reset, while replenishing the farm system with talent that aligns with their next competitive window. Minnesota’s front office has shown a willingness to move established players if the return facilitates long-term success, and a Giants package headlined by young infielders and an MLB-ready pitcher could check that box.

Ryan’s trade value is at its peak, and with multiple teams seeking dependable starters, Minnesota is positioned to take advantage. If the Twins decide it’s time to cash in on their consistent right-hander, the Giants might be the perfect partner.

What do you think? Should the Twins explore a Joe Ryan trade, and do the Giants have the right mix of talent to make it happen? Leave a comment and start the discussion.Â