Cubs Predicted to Acquire Twins All-Star Joe Ryan for Huge 3-Player Package
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A lot of teams could really use the Minnesota Twins' Joe Ryan, but the Chicago Cubs may be at the top of the list.
The Cubs have a couple of excellent left-handers at the top of their rotation, but they're missing the presence of a workhorse righty. That's especially poignant as they've fallen behind the Milwaukee Brewers, whose rotation is well-balanced and very deep, in the division race.
Trading for Ryan, a first-time All-Star this season who also has two years of control left after this season, would be expensive. But just how expensive? Is the asking price going to exceed what the Cubs are willing to surrender?
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 22: Joe Ryan #41 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates recording a complete game shutout against the Boston Red Sox after the game at Target Field on June 22, 2023 in Minneapolis,...
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 22: Joe Ryan #41 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates recording a complete game shutout against the Boston Red Sox after the game at Target Field on June 22, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Red Sox 6-0. MoreJust Baseball's Ryan Finkelstein and Jay Staph believe the price will be just within reason, allowing the Cubs to use their excellent farm system to make a splash.
On Friday, Finkelstein and Staph predicted that the Cubs would acquire Ryan, sending the Twins a three-prospect package including catcher Moises Ballesteros, infielder Jefferson Rojas, and right-handed pitcher Jaxon Wiggins.
"For a team with World Series aspirations and a deep farm to boot, we are shooting for the stars with this one. So why not grab the best ace with control and swing a trade for Joe Ryan?" asked Finkelstein and Staph. "While no team ever truly wants to trade their ace until they absolutely have to, this would be the rare chance to receive three top 100 prospects in one deal. That's not an offer they would be able to turn down lightly."
How good has Ryan been this season? Among 61 qualified starting pitchers, he ranks 12th in ERA (2.63), 12th in strikeouts (132), seventh in opponent batting average (.163) and in fourth WHIP (0.90). Add in the years of control, and it's hard to imagine the Twins giving him up for any inferior package to the above proposal.
While it might make Cubs fans wince to give up so much talent in one go, the reality is that this is the time to push the chips to the center. And as long as Ryan remains healthy, he'd be able to help with two more pennant chases at a minimum.
More MLB: Blue Jays Predicted to Cut Ties With Surging Outfielder Due to Roster Crunch
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