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Baltimore has scooped up marquee hitters and bolstered the bullpen, yet one glaring need remains: a true frontline starter to anchor their rotation. With a deep prospect pool and a pressing opportunity in the trade market, the Orioles may have the pieces to pursue Twins right-hander Joe Ryan as the missing piece for a genuine championship push.
Why Baltimore still needs an unquestioned ace
The Orioles improved their lineup this winter but their starting staff lagged in 2025. The group finished with a collective 4.65 ERA, leaving the club short on high-leverage, reliable innings.
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- Shane Baz arrived in a trade and adds upside.
- Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish are expected to be key rotation pieces.
- Relief help came in the form of Ryan Helsley for the ninth inning.
These moves strengthen the roster, but playoffs demand a top starter who can set the tone in must-win outings. The team’s combination of young talent and traded veterans creates trade currency. That gives Baltimore a clear path if it opts to pursue a premium rotation upgrade.
What Joe Ryan brings to a contender
Joe Ryan emerged as an All-Star in 2025 and finished the year as Minnesota’s most consistent starter. He made 31 starts with a 3.42 ERA and a 194/39 K/BB split that season.
Across five seasons with the Twins, Ryan owns a 3.79 ERA and a 719/148 K/BB mark. Those numbers indicate both durability and strikeout ability.
Ryan offers a reliable, high-ceiling presence at the top of a rotation. He excels in length and can carry Baltimore through series where other starters might struggle.
Why the Twins might be open to deals
Minnesota publicly resisted trading Ryan earlier in the offseason. Yet last year’s 70-92 finish and midseason roster sales suggest the club could pivot if the price is right.
The broader market matters. With expensive free-agent arms pushing payrolls higher, teams may prefer trading prospects for control and certainty. That dynamic can force reassessments by clubs that once declared certain players untouchable.
If the Twins decide to maximize return, Baltimore has the kind of prospect capital that could make Minnesota listen.
How Baltimore could construct an attractive package
Extracting Ryan will not be cheap. The Twins will seek high-upside, controllable talent in return. Baltimore’s system offers both near-MLB pieces and long-term upside.
- Top prospects with near-term MLB readiness.
- Pitching prospects who fit Minnesota’s development model.
- Position-player talent to replenish a rebuilding roster.
Possible components of a trade could include multiple top-100 prospects and a major-league-ready arm. The Orioles would likely need to present a significant package that balances present value and future upside.
Market context and timing for a 2026 rotation push
Free-agent spending and other teams’ needs will shape this market. Baltimore missed out on some top free-agent starters and saw potential targets sign elsewhere.
With control of prospects and a hole at the top of the rotation, the club faces two choices: enter the free-agent bidding war or pursue a trade that secures a proven starter for multiple seasons.
Signals to watch over the coming weeks
- Public statements from Twins front office about rebuild timelines.
- Which prospects Baltimore places on trade lists or removes from the 40-man roster.
- Market moves by other contenders seeking rotation help.
Those indicators will show whether the price for a pitcher like Ryan becomes reachable. If the Twins prioritize acquiring controlled, impact talent, Baltimore could be a natural trading partner.
