Twins Pitcher Joe Ryan Focused on Newborn, WBC Prep in Offseason

Ryan overcame trade deadline rumors to have a strong 2026 season start for Minnesota

Feb. 14, 2026 at 10:55am

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Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan spent the offseason focused on his newborn child and preparing for the World Baseball Classic, helping him tune out trade rumors and have a strong start to the 2026 season. Ryan was briefly convinced he had been traded on the MLB trade deadline last July due to an erroneous social media post, but he later learned he was staying with the Twins.

Why it matters

Ryan is a key part of the Twins' starting rotation, and his ability to stay focused and avoid distractions during the offseason will be crucial for the team's success in 2026. The Twins have had an active offseason with several trades, making Ryan's commitment to the team even more important.

The details

Ryan said he was able to avoid getting caught up in the trade rumors by focusing on his newborn child and preparing for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. He spent the offseason working on his pitching and getting ready for the international tournament, rather than worrying about potential roster changes.

  • On the 2022 MLB trade deadline in July, Ryan was briefly convinced he had been traded to the Boston Red Sox due to an erroneous social media post.
  • Ryan spent the offseason of 2026 focused on his newborn child and preparing for the World Baseball Classic.

The players

Joe Ryan

A starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins who had a strong 2026 season start after focusing on his newborn and World Baseball Classic preparation in the offseason.

Boston Red Sox

An MLB team that was erroneously reported to have acquired Ryan in a trade, though he ultimately remained with the Twins.

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The takeaway

Ryan's ability to stay focused on his personal life and preparation for the upcoming season, rather than getting caught up in trade rumors, shows his maturity and commitment to the Twins. This will be an important asset for the team as they look to build on their success in 2026.