The New York Mets are once again hunting for front-line pitching. This winter, their crosshairs have settled squarely on Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan.
The Twins face serious payroll questions. The Mets hold one of the game’s most intriguing young arms in Jonah Tong.
It feels like the stage is set for a potential blockbuster that could reshape both organizations’ timelines.
Mets Eye Joe Ryan as Rotation Cornerstone
The Mets’ rotation has been a patchwork lately. The front office clearly wants a long-term anchor instead of another short-term stopgap.
That pursuit has led them to Joe Ryan, a strike-throwing righty. His profile fits exactly what New York needs: durability, swing-and-miss stuff, and multiple years of cost control.
Why Joe Ryan Fits the Mets’ Plan
Ryan’s quietly developed into one of the more undervalued starters in the American League. Over the past two seasons, he’s delivered a 3.50 ERA with a strong 27.8% strikeout rate.
Those numbers put him comfortably in the upper tier of mid-rotation arms, with some upside for more.
What makes him especially attractive to the Mets:
Ryan’s contract and performance fit right into the Mets’ current blueprint. They’re trying to stay competitive now without sacrificing the future.
Twins Caught Between Competing and Rebooting
The Twins find themselves in a familiar small-market bind. They have a quality rotation piece on a team-friendly deal, but their payroll might force hard choices.
Even after a sell-off at the trade deadline that saw several notable names moved, Joe Ryan stayed put. That underlines how highly Minnesota values him.
Payroll Drop and 2026 Focus Shape Minnesota’s Strategy
Twins president Derek Falvey has signaled an organizational focus on building toward 2026. The front office wants to avoid another wholesale teardown, but ownership’s budget will ultimately call the shots.
Key financial realities:
If the numbers don’t work, Minnesota may have no choice but to listen on their most valuable pieces.
Beyond Ryan: Other Twins Stars Who Could Be in Play
If the Twins fully commit to another round of roster trimming, Ryan might not be the only headliner on the move. Rival clubs are keeping an eye on several Minnesota mainstays in case ownership greenlights a deeper reset.
Pablo Lopez, Ryan Jeffers, and Byron Buxton as Trade Chips
Alongside Ryan, Pablo Lopez is another starter who could command a premium return if made available. But the potential trade pool extends beyond the mound.
Names to watch:
Moving even one of these players would signal a clear tilt toward a longer-term build in Minnesota.
Jonah Tong: The Mets’ Premium Trade Bait
On the other side sits Jonah Tong, the 22-year-old Mets prospect who’s become one of the most coveted young arms in the sport. For Minnesota, he’s exactly the kind of high-upside, near-ready pitching talent that could anchor their next competitive core.
Why the Twins Covet Tong
Tong has rocketed through the Mets’ system, overpowering hitters at both Double-A and Triple-A with elite strikeout numbers. Scouts and evaluators see front-line potential, and he’s already cracked the top 50 prospects in the game.
His appeal to the Twins is obvious:
For the Mets, dealing Tong would sting. But that’s the going rate for a proven big-league starter under team control like Ryan.
Winter Meetings Will Clarify Both Teams’ Direction
The upcoming Winter Meetings could really shake things up. Executives around baseball are waiting to see what Minnesota actually plans to do.
Once ownership sets a real payroll limit, everyone will know if Joe Ryan, Pablo Lopez, or someone else is actually available. That’s when things might get interesting.
The Mets face a tough call. Do they give up a possible future ace like Jonah Tong to get a rotation anchor like Joe Ryan right now?
That decision could shape more than just the 2025 season in Queens. It might set the tone for the next five years, honestly.
Here is the source article for this story: Mets Interested In Joe Ryan
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s