Most of everyone's attention is focused on the MLB Winter Meetings and what chaos might ensue, specifically with free agents and trades that we're expecting to see. Juan Soto seems to be the linchpin, as where he signs will likely determine what happens next, but there are more things to consider than moves on the market that need to be made.
We were reminded of that this weekend when Minnesota Twins fans were treated to an injury update for a player we haven't thought about since August.
Joe Ryan left his start at Wrigley Field with what ended up being a shoulder strain that ended his standout season early. Up to that point Ryan had been pitching like the ace of Minnesota's staff and it's not hard to draw a line between his injury and the beginning of the end of the Twins' playoff hopes.
Once Ryan was lost for the season, Minnesota's lack of attention to the roster last winter came back to bite them. Without their best pitcher the Twins were thrust into total chaos and were forced to lean on guys like David Festa and Zebby Matthews to save the season.
That didn't happen, and Ryan's absence only highlighted how neccessary he is to the team's success. It's that reason why the latest update about his recovery is some much-needed good news for fans desperate for any glimmer of hope.
Twins get a huge Joe Ryan injury update exactly when everyone needs some good news
Maybe it's because our attention has been focused elsewhere, but KSTP's Darren Wolfson giving an update on Joe Ryan's recovery from his shoulder injury was some unexpectedly good news for Twins fans.
“Joe Ryan, with that shoulder injury, ahead of schedule with his rehab. So he’ll be fine by the start of spring training, but even before the start of spring training,” Wolfson reported.
Before his injury Ryan was on fire, posting a 3.60 ERA and a 2.3 WAR in 135 innings while garnering some dark horse Cy Young chatter. Tarik Skubal pulled away with that and Ryan would have never had a chance, but the fact that he was out-pitching everyone else in the rotation is why everyone was so excited about the latest plot twist in his development.
There has been some reckless speculation about Ryan potentially being a trade candidate this offseason, which would be as foolish as the Twins thinking about trading Carlos Correa in the middle of a championship window. Ryan represents everything fans have been waiting for in terms of stability, and trading him sends all the wrong signals.
News that he's ahead of schedule is a glimmer of hope that fans badly need as we enter what will likely be another quiet winter on the hot stove. The Twins aren't expected to make a ton of moves -- if any -- and will rely on things like getitng Ryan healthy and use it as a de facto addition.
It's a lazy way to make improvements to the roster, but it's also hard to argue that Ryan coming back isn't a massive boost that the Twins desperately need heading into next season.
More Minnesota Twins news and rumors