{"id":540357,"date":"2026-01-27T10:03:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T10:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/540357\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T10:03:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T10:03:29","slug":"mn-twins-avoid-arbitration-with-top-pitcher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/540357\/","title":{"rendered":"MN Twins Avoid Arbitration with Top Pitcher"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"JoeCredit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Earlier this offseason, the Minnesota Twins agreed to new contracts<\/a> with all of their arbitration eligible players except for one \u2014 Joe Ryan \u2014 who got dangerously close<\/a> to being traded before the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline.<\/p>\n

Failure do get a deal done with Ryan could have posed a potential problem for the Twins. The arbitration process can be brutal. Something about a professional sports team sitting down at a negotiating table in order to try and devalue an asset\u2026 feels wrong.<\/p>\n

Then again, forcing arbitration with one of the best players on their baseball team \u2014 a starting pitcher who would have been extended a long time ago if playing for a competent MLB organization \u2014 just to save a couple hundred grand would have been so on brand for the Pohlads.<\/p>\n

Joe Ryan agrees to new contract with Minnesota Twins<\/p>\n

Thankfully though, cooler heads have prevailed. On Monday, the Minnesota Twins struck a deal with Joe Ryan that will allow the two sides to avoid arbitration for $6.1 million in 2026.<\/p>\n

He now has a mutual option next season, but those are rarely exercised, being both teams have to agree to it. In other words, the $100K buyout effectively makes Ryan\u2019s deal worth $6.2 million.<\/p>\n

Ryan, Joe
Twins
4.033
2025
01\/26\/2026
1\/26\/26. $6,200,000\/1. 2026 opt 2027.<\/p>\n

$6,100,000 \u2013 2026<\/p>\n

Mutual Option 2027 for $13,000,000 or $100,000 buyout. https:\/\/t.co\/5o5n56l3ZC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 26, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

More than likely, the Twins will have made a long term decision on Ryan between now and next winter, either trading him to the highest bidder or signing him long term, which seems unlikely. <\/p>\n

Ryan \u2014 who made $3 million last year<\/a> in Minnesota \u2014 had filed for a $6.35 million in 2026. The Twins filed for $5.85 million. Joe is finally scheduled to hit free agency for the first time in his career following the 2027 MLB season.<\/p>\n

Related: MN Twins Legend Thinks He Can Fix Bailey Ober<\/a><\/p>\n

In 2025, Ryan owned a 3.42 ERA (3.74 FIP)<\/a> across a career-high 171 innings for the Minnesota Twins. He also had 194 strikeouts and took another step forward as a first-time All-Star<\/a>. Had he not experienced the typical late-season swoon, Ryan would have also earned Cy Young votes.<\/p>\n

This spring, Joe Ryan will pitch for Team USA<\/a> in the World Baseball Classic, before he returns as one of the No. 2 pitching in a MN Twins rotation that hopes to carry an underwhelming lineup and no bullpen back to the postseason.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Joe Ryan<\/a> <\/p>\n

More About: Minnesota Twins<\/a><\/p>\n

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