Padres Pursue Twins' Joe Ryan in Blockbuster Trade Offer

Potential deal aims to boost San Diego's pitching rotation as Minnesota looks to rebuild

Feb. 23, 2026 at 8:39am

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The San Diego Padres are in discussions with the Minnesota Twins about a significant trade involving starting pitcher Joe Ryan. The Twins, facing a challenging outlook including the loss of Pablo Lopez for the 2026 season, are considering moving key players like Ryan and Byron Buxton to reshape their roster and begin a rebuilding phase. Meanwhile, the Padres see an opportunity to bolster their starting rotation as they aim to compete against top National League rivals.

Why it matters

This potential trade highlights the Twins' need to rebuild and the Padres' desire to strengthen their pitching staff in order to contend in the highly competitive National League. The outcome could reshape the MLB landscape, with both teams making strategic moves to position themselves for future success.

The details

The proposed trade would send Joe Ryan from the Twins to the Padres in exchange for right-handed pitchers Nick Pivetta and Eric Yost, as well as San Diego's No. 23 prospect for 2025. This offer reflects a calculated exchange that balances immediate roster needs and future potential for both teams. While Pivetta has been a dominant pitcher, the Padres may be hesitant to commit to him financially beyond the near term due to his contract situation. Acquiring Pivetta would allow the Twins to fill the rotation gap left by Ryan, while securing a promising prospect like Yost aids their rebuilding strategy.

  • The Padres and Twins are in discussions about the potential trade as both teams prepare for the 2026 MLB season.

The players

Joe Ryan

A starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins who is entering free agency at the end of the 2026 season.

Nick Pivetta

A right-handed pitcher for the San Diego Padres who has been a dominant performer in 2025 but faces uncertainty with his contract situation.

Eric Yost

A promising prospect in the San Diego Padres' farm system who is ranked No. 23 for 2025.

Pablo Lopez

A starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins who is expected to miss the entire 2026 season.

Byron Buxton

An outfielder for the Minnesota Twins who is also being considered as a potential trade target.

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What’s next

The next steps depend heavily on how both teams assess their immediate versus long-term priorities in the offseason, with ongoing negotiations likely as the 2026 season approaches.

The takeaway

This potential trade highlights the strategic moves both the Padres and Twins are considering to position themselves for future success. The Padres aim to bolster their pitching rotation to compete against top National League rivals, while the Twins look to rebuild their roster through valuable assets and prospects.