Guess Who's No. 1 on Fresh MLB Trade Deadline Big Board…?
It's more than fair to suggest that the current ownership situation has put Derek Falvey and the front office in a bad spot. It's equally fair to realize that the front office has failed to get out of its own way at multiple different junctures.
As the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline looms, there are more than just the impending free agents for Minnesota to consider. That's where the most valuable assets come in.
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Joe Ryan paces trade assets for Minnesota Twins
It's pretty straightforward that a mediocre team would part ways with players that won't be around in the following season. It's different for such a team to piece out parts of their future. That's something Derek Falvey has to wrestle with, and Joe Ryan is atop The Athletic's trade deadline big board.
'Minnesota isn't itching to move Ryan, who is 29 and under team control for two seasons beyond this one, but it's easy to understand why teams will be calling the Twins about him just in case. Coming off his first All-Star honor, Ryan is a proven front-line starter with a career 3.67 ERA who pounds the zone and racks up whiffs, posting MLB's seventh-best K/BB ratio since his 2021 debut.
Ryan might be effectively off limits even if the Twins are in seller mode, but some contenders could try to blow them away with an offer. Among all qualified starters the past two seasons, Ryan ranks second to only Tarik Skubal in K/BB ratio (6.1/1) and is also fourth in opponents' batting average (.207) and 10th in ERA (3.15).'
The Athletic
Put together by Aaron Gleeman, Eno Sarris, Tim Britton, and Chad Jennings, each of them listed Ryan as the top possible piece. That is a reflection of both talent and team control. Minnesota may not be completely inclined to move Ryan, but if they do then a haul of a return should be expected.
The reality is that Ryan's 2.63 ERA is a career-best, and he is now a first-time All-Star. He's making only $3 million this season, and his next two arbitration-influenced contracts will have him more than worthy of a contract.
That reality is beyond enticing for any team looking to bolster their rotation before the postseason. Ryan is excited about the opportunity to play for a contender. Minnesota could be that again soon, but parting out Ryan may give them additional ammunition to get their sooner.
MN Twins with multiple top trade assets
It's not just Joe Ryan that highlights The Athletic's trade deadline big board for the Minnesota Twins. Somewhat surprisingly, it isn't solely the rentals you'd expect either.
Jhoan Duran checks in at 6th. Like Ryan, he would be an expensive controllable asset. The Dodgers, among other teams, have checked in on the MN Twins closer. His high-leverage bullpen mate Griffin Jax shows up at 10th overall.
Beyond the controllable types, 2024 team MVP Willi Castro appears at 24th. He represents a high-quality utility piece that could provide value to virtually any team he lands on. Outfield free agent Harrison Bader is 30th, and starting pitcher Chris Paddack gets the Mr. Irrelevant title to cap off the group at 50th. His last start against the Dodgers may have teams lining up to complete their rotation.
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Maybe most interestingly is the inclusion of Trevor Larnach at 42nd. Both he and Matt Wallner appear to have flatlined with the Twins. Larnach is a former first round pick that owns just a .243/.313/.408 slash line this season. His 97 OPS+ is not far from the career 101 OPS+ mark. He has never been able to truly harness his power, and there's a level of redundancy in the Minnesota Twins outfield.
It's fair to wonder what level of confusion a team sale presents the Twins front office. That said, they have done nothing for the better part of the last three years. At this point, it's time to pick a path.
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