The New York Yankees had a relatively quiet offseason, but they still remain one of the top teams in the American League after a 94-win season in 2025. They fell short in the ALDS against the eventual AL champion Toronto Blue Jays.
They are beginning the season without their ace Gerrit Cole, who underwent Tommy John surgery before the start of the 2025 season. Fortunately for the Yankees, he is working his way back and should be activated from the injured list at some point during the regular season.
But pitching is always at a premium, especially high-end starting pitching. CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa listed Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan as an early trade candidate and had the Yankees as one of the possible landing spots.
“Ryan has two years of control remaining,” Axisa wrote.
“Squint your eyes and you can see the Twins staying in the postseason race deep into the season. I think it’s more likely Ryan is firmly on the trade block come July.
The Twins are likely to fall out of contention before the trade deadline, so trading Ryan makes sense. The Yankees also have the prospects in order to get a deal done. They have Spencer Jones, George Lombard Jr, Elmer Rodriguez and Carlos Lagrange in their system.
With Ryan under club control for two more seasons, the Yankees will likely have to give up a haul in order to land him, but they have a deep farm system, so it’s certainly possible. Landing Ryan would give them a better chance to compete with the Blue Jays in the crowded AL East, as well as a younger starter with upside to boost the rotation.
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