While most local Minnesota Twins insiders are expecting the Twins to stay neutral ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi floated an idea that would suggest the Twins are much closer to a sell-off than fans realize. Morosi mentions that there are "a number of teams" keeping tabs on the Twins and whether or not Joe Ryan will be made available ahead of the deadline.
Joe Ryan is being monitored by "a number of teams," including the Red Sox, as a potential trade candidate, per @jonmorosi. pic.twitter.com/20RFE17sOh
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 9, 2025
When talking about potential moves the Twins may make at the deadline, in the event they become sellers, the expectation was that Minnesota would look to move players who are free agents after the season. That list of players does not include Ryan, who is under team control until 2028. Beyond that, Ryan is in the midst of a breakout season with the Twins, posting a 2.76 ERA through his first 18 outings this season.
Considering the Twins' front office is likely looking for ways to remain in contention, as a way to better their profile for the eventual new owner of the Twins, trading Ryan doesn't make complete sense. That is why Morosi added context to the idea of Ryan being moved.
"For the Twins to move him, they will need to be (a) out of the AL postseason picture and (b) completely overwhelmed by an offer. Difficult threshold to meet. Ryan set to be a FA after '27," Morosi shared.
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While the Twins are all but out of the American League Central race, thanks to the Detroit Tigers being the best team in baseball, they are at the center of the Wild-Card race. Entering play on Wednesday, the Twins are four games out of the final Wild-Card spot.
What must be mentioned, however, is the number of teams that have a need for a frontline starting pitcher, and the limited amount of options due to the expanded postseason rules. If the Twins were to make Ryan available, he would immediately be at the top of the list in terms of available starting pitchers. That standing could, in theory, lead to the Twins receiving an offer that is too good to pass up.