Twins could shop 'popular' trade candidate involved in 2025 Red Sox, Mets rumors originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Minnesota Twins played .500 baseball through their first 22 games, opening the season with an 11-11 record.

That may have exceeded the expectations of the organization and its fans. This is a club that lost 92 games in 2025 and traded what felt like half the roster at the deadline.

However, the Twins held on to their ace pitcher despite rumored interest from teams like the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets. ESPN's David Schoenfield still sees right-hander Joe Ryan as Minnesota's most likely trade candidate.

"Ryan was a popular trade candidate this past offseason, but the Twins kept him and are off to a strong start, even after Pablo Lopez's season-ending elbow injury. Of course, if they continue to play well, Ryan is more likely to stay put -- although we also know the Twins weren't that far out of the playoff race last trade deadline when they traded 11 players to cut payroll and add prospects. Ryan is under team control through 2027, so that gives him a little added trade value."

As talented as Ryan is, the Twins could prioritize acquiring prospects to start building for the future.

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Of course, their record near the deadline will determine the course of action. It would not go over well with the fans if they traded the club's ace in the middle of a postseason race.

In his first five starts of 2026, the All-Star posted a 3.29 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 27.1 innings. He allowed one earned run in six innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.

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