Twins’ rumored Joe Ryan price could make a Cubs trade feel like a steal

The Chicago Cubs need a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, and with spending in free agency not the preferred method of Jed Hoyer's front office, a trade for a controllable ace remains the most likely scenario for the team this offseason. Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins remains a logical target, and Minnesota's asking price may have just been leaked.

The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey recently took part in a Boston Red Sox mailbag, answering questions submitted by readers. Like the Cubs, the Red Sox are believed to be in the market for starting pitching this offseason and have had a previous connection to Ryan.

While talking through the Red Sox's options this offseason, McCaffrey may have revealed what it would cost to land Ryan in a trade.

"Dan Hayes,The Athletic’sTwins writer, suggested Minnesota would be seeking two top-50 prospects, one with a mid-ceiling and one more of a lottery ticket."

Cubs have clear path to land Joe Ryan after Twins’ modest asking price

Ryan is under control through the 2027 season and is coming off a season where he posted an ERA of 3.42 while striking out over 28% of the hitters he faced. In other words, Ryan would be the top-of-the-rotation pitcher with a swing-and-miss profile that the Cubs lacked in 2025.

An asking price of two top-50 prospects, with one being closer to a lottery ticket, feels like a trade the Cubs can easily account for. As of now, the Cubs have three top-100 prospects--Owen Caissie, Moises Ballesteros, and Jaxon Wiggins.

Assuming Caissie is off limits, considering the imminent departure of Kyle Tucker, Ballesteros would almost certainly have to be involved in a potential trade with the Twins. The Twins likely will ask for Wiggins as well, but he was off limits at the MLB trade deadline.

If Wiggins is untouchable, the Cubs may need to get creative with the prospect they offer. Jefferson Rojas' name, as high as his ceiling is, might be on the table and then a lottery ticket at the lower levels. The Cubs might even throw in Jordan Wicks, considering it appears that the organization has soured on his development plan.

The prospect cost, assuming the Cubs won't move Caissie or Wiggins, will sting if a trade is made with the Twins for Ryan. It certainly will be greater than the package the Cubs sent the Houston Astros for Kyle Tucker, but the difference is that the team would have Ryan for two seasons before he hits free agency.