The Boston Red Sox wanted Joe Ryan at the trade deadline, and they were the best team to get him. In fact, they were the last team on the phones with the Minnesota Twins. Things didn't work out. The Twins ended up selling 10 of their key players from their core, leaving only Lewis, Buxton, Jeffers, and, of course, Joe Ryan.
Ryan didn't play his best during the second half of the season, but that won't lower his value any further as he's under team control for another two seasons. So with that in mind, Ryan still had a good season, striking out 194 batters and still maintaining an ERA of 3.42, with the highest ERA+ of his career at 125. They want an offer that they would be "overwhelmed" by, so here are a few offers that the Twins could take, and should take, in all given circumstances.
Trade Package #1:
BOS: RHP Joe Ryan
MIN: 1B Triston Casas, OF Jhostynxon Garcia (#3), P Kyson Witherspoon (#4), PTBL/Cash Considerations
Adding cash considerations here is obvious, given Minnesota's financial situation. However, Witherspoon was the Red Sox's first-round pick, but given they should keep Payton Tolle and Connelly Early, Witherspoon is the odd man out. The Twins get two players with serious power in their bats to kickstart their rebuild, and a pitching prospect that will rise through their system in 2026.
If they don't like that, here's another trade offer.
Trade Package #2:
BOS: RHP Joe Ryan
MIN: OF Jhostynxon Garcia (#3), RHP Kyson Witherspoon (#4), OF Miguel Bleis (#15), Greg Weissert, PTBL/Cash
Garcia, at a logjam, won't get time for the Red Sox. Witherspoon, while having amazing potential, could also be at a potential logjam in that rotation come 2026 or 2027 when he inevitably gets called up. Now Miguel Bleis is going to be boom-or-bust. He had risen the last two seasons, but has struggled this season and dropped down to the 15th slot in their system. He also had shoulder surgery to end his 2022 season, so there are durability concerns there, too. He hasn't quite adjusted to the AA level just yet, but there's still time for the 21-year-old. Adding Greg Weissert and a player to be named later in the deal could be good collateral if Bleis doesn't develop. Preferably, that PTBL could be somewhere within the #10 - #30 spots in their top prospect rankings of Minnesota's choosing.
Trade Package #3:
BOS: RHP Joe Ryan
MIN: OF Jarren Duran, LHP Brandon Clarke (#5), Justin Gonzales (#7), RHP Luis Perales (#9), PTBL/Cash
Adding Justin Gonzales is an important trait. Given the fact that the Twins would need to bolster their farm system, he would be an excellent long-term addition for Minnesota to consider. He can also play first base if he declines. He's only 18 years old and was thriving in his first year as a professional in the minors. He batted .298 in Single-A Salem with 23 doubles and 27 RBIs in 81 games, although he only hit four home runs. But once again, he's only 18. That power will transition with time, even as soon as next season.
Brandon Clarke has been a revelation at 22 years old. He did an amazing job in Salem as well, pitching only a 0.93 ERA with 17 strikeouts in his three starts. He struggled in High-A Greenville, but that still didn't stop him from becoming one of the highest-rising pitchers in their farm system. His athleticism is quite good, along with his arm, topping 100 mph on his fastball. But his delivery is still very raw. The good thing is, he's only entering his second year as a pro. Coming out of the fifth round from Alabama, Clarke is an interesting developmental piece, one that you can take a big chance on.
If Clarke is too risky, that's why Luis Perales has also been added to this deal to strengthen it. He just came off Tommy John Surgery in 2024, mind you, but he finished strong to end his season. Perales, 22, could be phenomenal in the short-term future. He'll most likely start in AAA to get himself back in order, but once the middle of the 2026 season comes around, he'll most likely be the one to get the call-up to the majors. Whether he starts or is in the bullpen would be up to the Twins, but many are convinced that he can be a frontline starter in the next year or so.
Conclusion
These are all very specific trade packages that are unique in their own way. Sometimes teams don't see eye-to-eye on the same thing in negotiations, which can be tough to navigate. However, with the Red Sox, they can pivot in many different directions to make this trade work.
If Breslow is a good negotiator, along with his assistants who helped him in acquisitions before, there should be no issue with how they can get Joe Ryan. Many players in the farm are replaceable with players on the bottom, either just starting or having the potential to be high risers soon. Having a good farm system with top names can be easy; all you have to do is make some trades to rebuild the team. Developing talent is much more difficult, and maintaining such a pace while keeping that farm system fertile is the hardest thing a team can do. So far, they've proven they can both spend and develop for the future without breaking a sweat. Let's see what happens.