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Red Sox Get Bad News From Twins on 2.72 ERA Starter's Trade Availability

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jul 20, 2025 3:40 PM ET

The Boston Red Sox are looking to add a starting pitcher at the MLB trade deadline. With a ten-game winning streak leading up to the All-Star break, the Red Sox's plan to be buyers is no surprise.

But, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Red Sox got bad news on one of the team's top trade targets. Nightengale gave a bleak outlook on any potential trade for Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan.

"The Twins will listen to offers," Nightengale writes, "but are expected to keep starter Joe Ryan."

Ryan would be one of the top options on the market among all starters this trade deadline. He's under team control through 2027, is pitching very well this season (2.72 ERA), and wouldn't cost much money.

For the Red Sox, he'd be the ideal trade deadline pickup, as he'd slide right behind Garrett Crochet atop their rotation, creating a potent one-two punch between Crochet and Ryan.

Boston needs to add a starter, and Ryan would be the best choice of the pitchers who could be available at the deadline.

His 2.72 ERA this season is the best mark in his career, and earned him his first All-Star nod. At 9-4 through 18 starts and 19 appearances, Ryan has been pitching at his best this season.

His 121 strikeouts and 23 walks through 109.1 innings are impressive marks, and he's also allowing the fewest home runs per nine innings in his career (1.0).

Ryan would be a perfect deadline pickup for the Red Sox, and yet, despite the Twins listening to offers, the All-Star starter isn't expected to be traded at the trade deadline.

Instead, Boston will likely need to look elsewhere for their starting pitcher addition. Sandy Alcantara or Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins are two names to watch, though neither would be as great a fit as Ryan would be.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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