MLB Exec Predicts All-Star SP Joe Ryan Will be Traded by Twins Before 2025 Deadline

A disappointing first half has left the Minnesota Twins in a rough spot as they decide what to do prior to the trade deadline, with All-Star Joe Ryan being floated as a potential candidate to be dealt by one person in MLB.

Per ESPN's Buster Olney, one executive on a rival team said they believe Ryan will be moved prior to July 31.

That's not a consensus opinion, with Olney noting two other executives saying the Twins would have to be "overwhelmed" with an offer to move the right-hander.

Ryan did address the trade speculation during his All-Star media availability on Monday, telling WEEI's Rob Bradford it's "exciting" to be talked about while acknowledging he "loves" Minnesota.

There are not a lot of indications that the Twins are shopping Ryan. They certainly aren't under any pressure to do so because he's only making $3 million this season and is under team control through 2027.

Given that Ryan does have two years of arbitration remaining before he can hit free agency, the Twins could ask for the overwhelming trade haul mentioned by the executives because he would almost certainly be the best pitcher on the market.

As things currently stand, the top two starters who could be dealt before the July 31 deadline are Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Sandy Alcántara of the Miami Marlins.

Gallen, a free agent at the end of this season, has a 5.40 ERA in 20 starts. Alcántara has up to two more years of team control remaining if his $21 million team option for 2027 gets picked up, but he has a 7.22 ERA in 18 starts.

Ryan, a first-time All-Star in 2025, ranks eighth among AL starters in ERA (2.72) and second in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.26). He could be a difference-maker in a pennant race for any contending team.

Another problem for the Twins, though, is deciding whether or not to give up on this season. Their 47-49 record isn't an encouraging sign, but they are only four games behind the Seattle Mariners for the final wild card spot in the American League.

The schedule coming out of the All-Star break could make it difficult for the Twins to go on a run before the trade deadline. They have two winnable series against the Colorado Rockies (July 18-20) and Washington Nationals (July 25-27), but also have to play the Los Angeles Dodgers (July 21-23) and Boston Red Sox (July 28-30).

Even if the Twins don't go on a hot streak over the next two weeks, trading Ryan would also put a huge dent in their ability to compete next year because they would have to get a starter capable of replacing his production.