2 starting pitchers the Twins can pursue if Joe Ryan is traded this offseason

Alright, let's play the domino effect game. If the Twins actually trade Joe Ryan, whose name has been swirling the rumor mill for quite some time now, then Minnesota is going to need to have a backup plan.

Obviously, we don't want to see Ryan go, but if he does, there is an opportunity for the club to trade for two arms who won't cost much. Both Edward Cabrera (Marlins) and Brady Singer (Reds) can provide enough combined value to wipe the tears away of Joe Ryan's potential departure. Let's get into it.

Marlins' Edward Cabrera, Reds' Brady Singer would be solid replacements for Joe Ryan if Twins trade him

To start, both Cabrera and Singer have been rumored to be traded this offseason, and several teams in need of a starting pitcher are listed as the best candidates by ESPN. The Twins are not included on that list, but if Ryan is traded, then they are all of a sudden in the mix.

Edward Cabrera

The Pros

The 27-year-old right-hander averages 97 MPH on two different fastballs, and this past season, he finally put it all together. He recorded a career-high 150 strikeouts, 2.8 bWAR, and his third ERA+ of 111 or better.

He was dominant at home, logging a 2.72 ERA in 14 starts with an impressive 1.097 WHIP. His road numbers weren't as solid.

The Cons

Away from Miami, Cabrera had a 4.63 ERA and a WHIP north of 1.400. He's still a work in progress, but his splits at home proved he is improving.

Cabrera's injury history also isn't very kind. Just in 2025 alone, he blister problems on finger, as well as a right elbow sprain that kept him on the shelf for most of September. This can hold a few teams back from wanting to trade with him as he's been under control for three years. It's a high-risk, high-reward scenario for Cabrera, but the Twins may find themselves in a spot to go after him.

Brady Singer

The Pros

The 29-year-old right-hander becomes a free agent after the 2026 season, so trading him for one season could be the perfect bandage to patch up Ryan's potential vacancy.

The sinkerballer registered 15 quality starts this past season, and over one-third of his starts saw zero or one run allowed. He's a veteran pitcher now, and that experience can help bolster the Twins' staff.

The Cons

Singer had a rough first half with the Reds this season. Logging a 4.32 ERA in the opening half of the season, Singer needed some time settling into his first year with Cincinnati. Could that pattern repeat itself if he goes to another new organization? Regardless, Singer figured it out and posted a 3.62 ERA in the second half of the 2025 season.

Cabrera and Singer combined for a 5.9 bWAR in 2025. Is that enough to forget about Joe Ryan, who tallied a 4.5 bWAR and 13 wins for a struggling Twins team? It could be. Either way, this would be an intriguing route for the Twins to take as a response to potentially losing Ryan.