Cubs’ perfect trade offer for Twins’ Joe Ryan

There’s no doubt the Chicago Cubs have been an exciting team this season. But they’ve had to deal with their share of injuries. And here is their perfect trade offer for Twins pitcher Joe Ryan.

It’s hard to see much adversity when looking at the Cubs’ record. They entered Thursday with a mark of 25-12, holding a 3.5-game lead over the Cardinals.

However, with pitcher Matthew Boyd going on injured reserve, it further weakened the planned rotation. They still have Shota Imanaga throwing well. But after him, things get a little bit dicey.

Cubs could set their target on Twins’ SP Joe Ryan

First, the Cubs need to be patient. Ryan left his most recent starting assignment with the dreaded “elbow soreness.” However, imaging came back clean. And he’s scheduled to make his next start on Saturday.

Like the Twins, the Cubs need to take a wait-and-see attitude. Twins manager Derek Shelton said the team will be cautious, according to The Athletic.

“There will be a watchful eye,” Shelton said. “The first thing you want with any of your players, or especially your pitchers, is if they feel something, especially in their arm, we want them to communicate it. We want to make sure we’re not going to put him in harm’s way. We will carefully monitor this situation.

“The one really great thing about Joe is he is probably in tune with his body as any player I’ve ever been around. He can articulate really well what he’s feeling. … We will be very aware.”

But if Ryan gets through a normal amount of pitches, the Cubs should feel free to make their move. A six-year veteran, Ryan has come into his own in recent seasons. He was an All-Star in 2025 and finished with a record of 13-10. He turned in a career-low 3.42 ERA. And he struck out 194 batters in 171 innings.

Those things check a lot of boxes. And he got rave reviews at the end of last year, in retrospect, from Keith Law of The Athletic.

“Ryan was one of those ‘invisiball’ guys,” Law wrote. “I referred to his ‘ordinary stuff,’ saying he did it with deception and a plus changeup, but that his fastball was just average. That last bit was the wrongest part of all, as Ryan’s four-seamer has been worth at least plus-14 runs above average in each of his four full seasons in the majors.

“Hitters actually don’t hit it or square it up very much, with whiff and strikeout rates well above the MLB median for four-seamers, and a wOBA allowed on the pitch that’s well below the median.”

Good stuff.

What would the Cubs need to send to the Twins?

It’s always good to send pitching when you’re getting pitching. However, the Cubs aren’t going to deal their No. 1 prospect, Jaxon Wiggins.

The next-best pitcher is No. 12, Kaleb Wing, according to MLB.com. So that will be part of the deal. His athleticism plays a role in his future ceiling.

“Wing’s fastball went from 88-90 mph at the 2024 Area Code Games to 90-96 with high spin rates plus nice carry and armside run last spring,” MLB wrote. “He also tightened his curveball, which shows signs of becoming a plus offering in the upper 70s with downer break. His low-80s changeup has similar action and is still a work (in) progress, but looks like it will be a useful third pitch.

“More athletic than most pitchers, Wing moves down the mound well to create plenty of extension in his delivery. He repeats his mechanics well and provides strikes with ease. He’ll need to add some strength, but could develop into a mid-rotation starter.”

Of course, with that level, and youth, of a pitcher, the Cubs will have to offer a top-line hitter. And that may mean outfielder Kevin Alcantara. He’s big and full of potential. And he’s a 2026 projected arrival, according to MLB.com.

“Alcántara’s 6-foot-6 frame gives him plenty of leverage but also a naturally long right-handed stroke, which combined with a lack of pitch recognition and an overly aggressive approach, resulted in a career-worst 30 percent strikeout rate in 2025,” MLB wrote. “He has well-above-average raw power and can crush balls out of any part of the park. But he won’t reach his 30+ homer potential until he improves his selectivity and quality of contact. He’s a streaky hitter who’s most productive when he concentrates on making hard contact rather than swinging for the fences.

“Alcántara possesses a rare combination of size and athleticism. He could become at least a 20/20 player if he looked to steal more bases. And he covers wide swaths of ground in center field.”