Sometimes, the biggest debates in baseball aren’t about who won or lost a game—they revolve around blockbuster trades and player movements that could reshape team futures. And here’s where it gets controversial: a former Red Sox prospect, who was once linked to the team, is now predicted to be headed elsewhere, specifically to the San Diego Padres. But how likely is this move, and what does it mean for all the teams involved? Keep reading to find out.
Recently, the Boston Red Sox appeared to be in the mix when it came to acquiring Minnesota Twins right-handed pitcher Joe Ryan during the 2025 MLB trade deadline. However, as the offseason has progressed, those negotiations seem to have cooled significantly, with reports suggesting Minnesota's interest in trading Ryan has diminished.
Yet, despite the slowdown in discussions with Boston, Bleacher Report’s senior analyst Tim Kelly confidently predicts that Ryan will find himself wearing Padres gear before the 2026 trade deadline. Kelly describes the potential deal as a typical bold move by San Diego’s president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller—a front office executive infamous for his aggressive trade tactics.
Kelly points out that the Padres are in dire need of another top-tier starting pitcher if they want to contend in the highly competitive National League West, which is currently dominated by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have won the World Series twice in a row. Adding Ryan, who has shown strong performance metrics recently, would be a strategic move to improve their rotation.
According to Kelly, Ryan’s skill set—namely his 3.50 ERA and his impressive 10 strikeouts per nine innings since the start of 2024—makes him an appealing target. Furthermore, Ryan is under team control until after the 2027 season, meaning the Padres could secure his services for the foreseeable future, especially with the uncertain futures of other starters like Michael King and Nick Pivetta, who may opt out of their contracts after 2026.
In 2025, Ryan proved his value with the Twins, finishing with a record of 13 wins and 10 losses, an excellent 3.42 ERA, and nearly 200 strikeouts over 171 innings in just 31 appearances. His consistency helped stabilize the Twins’ rotation and earned him his first All-Star selection. He demonstrated excellent control, sporting a WHIP of just 1.035—among the league’s best—and concluded the year with an outstanding nine-strikeout performance in his last game against the Phillies.
Looking at his career as a whole, Ryan has been steadily impressive since debuting in 2021. Over five seasons, he’s accumulated a record of 46-36, a solid 3.79 ERA, and 719 strikeouts across 641⅓ innings in 115 games. Originally drafted by the Rays in 2018 and traded to Minnesota in 2021, he has established himself as a dependable starting pitcher, recording double-digit wins in three seasons and leading the American League in strikeouts per nine innings in 2025.
So, what’s the takeaway? While the trade prediction might spark some debate among fans and analysts—some might argue Ryan’s value is too high to give up, or that the Padres could find other solutions—what remains clear is that the landscape of MLB trades often hinges on little more than a team’s specific needs and strategic visions.
And this is the part most people miss: trades like these are not just about player statistics—they’re about how teams see their future and what risks they’re willing to take for a shot at winning it all. Would you agree with Kelly’s prediction? Or do you think Ryan remains in Minnesota? Feel free to share your thoughts and join the discussion below.
