The Mets are surveying the trade market for rotation upgrades and have expressed interest in Twins right-hander Joe Ryan, who remains appealing due to his affordability and remaining club control. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that Ryan is one of several trade targets for the Mets.
Minnesota, which unexpectedly tore down much of its roster at the 2025 trade deadline, held onto Ryan despite significant interest from multiple contenders. His strong performance and team-friendly salary make him a valuable asset, and the Twins’ willingness to move him now remains uncertain.
Much of Minnesota’s direction hinges on ownership and the status of two long-anticipated minority-ownership additions, which could influence the team’s budget. President of baseball operations Derek Falvey has said he intends to build for 2026 unless directed otherwise, though the club’s quiet offseason and drastically reduced payroll leave their true intentions unclear. A deeper sell-off that includes Ryan, Pablo López, Ryan Jeffers, or even a reassessment of Byron Buxton’s no-trade stance becomes more plausible if spending remains restricted.
If the Twins do consider a Ryan trade, Mets prospect Jonah Tong makes sense as a centerpiece (Heyman mentioned Tong specifically in the article). His rapid rise through the minors and elite strikeout rates have established him as a top-50 prospect, despite early struggles in his MLB debut.
The upcoming Winter Meetings are expected to reveal whether Minnesota plans to add pieces for a 2026 push or continue stripping down the roster, with payroll flexibility likely determining how aggressively they act and whether their top players become realistic trade chips.