![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MLB-Game-One-Cleveland-Guardians-at-Minnesota-Twins-27129782-scaled-e1767918814805.jpg\")
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
There are several key dates scattered throughout the Major League Baseball offseason<\/a>, and Thursday marked an important one. The Minnesota Twins were required to either reach contract agreements with their arbitration-eligible players<\/a> or head toward arbitration hearings.<\/p>\n The Twins had a handful of cases to resolve and managed to reach deals with all but one key contributor. It\u2019s been an eventful few months for Joe Ryan<\/a>, and Thursday added yet another chapter.<\/p>\n Joe Ryan and MN Twins Can\u2019t Come to Terms<\/p>\n Last season, the Minnesota Twins executed one of the more aggressive trade deadlines<\/a> in recent memory. Poor results down the stretch led to a 70\u201392 finish<\/a> and managerial changes this offseason. Ryan\u2019s relationship with the front office appeared strained at times<\/a>, then seemingly repaired<\/a>. Now, he remains the lone arbitration-eligible Twin without a contract.<\/p>\n #MNTwins<\/a> reached agreements with all of their arbitrator-eligible players except Joe Ryan.<\/p>\n \u2014 DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) January 8, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n According to The Athletic\u2019s Dan Hayes<\/a>, the two sides came close<\/a> to an agreement but ultimately failed to finalize a deal. This isn\u2019t the first time the Twins and Ryan have differed on his value. During the summer, Minnesota reportedly sought a return from the Boston Red Sox that the latter was unwilling to meet.<\/p>\n The next step is the exchange of arbitration figures between Ryan\u2019s representatives and the Twins. The sides could still compromise and settle before a hearing, but if the gap remains too wide, the case will go before a neutral arbitrator.<\/p>\n MLB Trade Rumors<\/a>, widely considered the gold standard for arbitration projections, estimated Ryan\u2019s 2026 salary at $5.8 million. He earned $3 million in 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ryan was a first-time All-Star<\/a> last season for Minnesota. Across 31 appearances (30 starts)<\/a>, he logged 171 innings with a 3.42 ERA (3.74 FIP) and struck out 194 batters, further solidifying himself as one of the Twins\u2019 top two starting pitchers.<\/p>\n Twins Get Other Arbitration Players Under Contract<\/p>\n Beyond Ryan, the Twins had five other players who were arbitration-eligible for 2026. All five reached agreements, avoiding hearings entirely.<\/p>\n PlayerPosition2026 SalaryProjectionRyan JeffersC$6.7M<\/a>$6.6MTrevor LarnachOF\/DH$4.475M<\/a>$4.7MBailey OberSP$5.2M<\/a>$4.6MRoyce Lewis3B$2.85M<\/a>$3MCole SandsRP$1.3M<\/p>\n Of that group, Bailey Ober\u2019s deal stood out as the most surprising relative to projections. It\u2019s an unusual moment for Ober to exceed expectations in compensation given how his season unfolded.<\/p>\n Ober posted a 5.10 ERA (4.90 FIP) last year while throwing just 146 2\/3 innings<\/a>. Injuries and ineffectiveness plagued him throughout the season, and his 1.8 home runs allowed per nine innings marked a clear career high. A rebound from Ober may end up being one of the most critical developments for the Twins in 2026.<\/p>\n While it has been reported that Cole Sands also reached an agreement, the financial terms of his deal have not yet been made public.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Bailey Ober<\/a> Cole Sands<\/a> Joe Ryan<\/a> Royce Lewis<\/a> Ryan Jeffers<\/a> Trevor Larnach<\/a> <\/p>\n More About: Minnesota Twins<\/a><\/p>\n Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google. \t\t\t![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/google_preferred_source_badge.png\"){kind=icon}
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