Joe Ryan’s Relationship With the Twins Appears to Be Growing Increasingly Strained

The relationship between the Minnesota Twins and Joe Ryan continues to trend in an uncomfortable direction.

Ryan, who was nearly traded during last summer’s deadline fire sale, is now at the center of another uneasy development. After failing to reach an agreement with the Twins before last week’s arbitration deadline, the right-hander will also not appear at TwinsFest, one of the organization’s marquee offseason events.

According to The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman, Ryan has been removed from the list of players scheduled to attend TwinsFest, which takes place Jan. 23–24 at Target Field.

“Joe Ryan is not expected to attend TwinsFest, per a team source.
Ryan has been removed from the lineup of Twins players scheduled to make an appearance.”
— Aaron Gleeman, January 13, 2026

On its own, the move could be insignificant. In context, it’s difficult to ignore.

Arbitration Dispute Adds to the Tension

Last week, Ryan and the Twins failed to agree on a 2026 salary prior to the arbitration deadline, with the two sides reportedly $500,000 apart. While not a massive sum by MLB standards, arbitration disputes often carry emotional weight — particularly when they involve a player coming off a career-best season.

That tension is amplified by the fact that Ryan was left on the roster through last July’s trade deadline, despite Minnesota openly entertaining offers for veteran talent. For a pitcher approaching 30, remaining untraded during a sell-off is rarely a reassuring signal.

A Career Year, But an Uncertain Future

Ryan is coming off the strongest season of his MLB career. In 2025, he posted a career-low 3.42 ERA, struck out 194 batters across 171.0 innings, and earned his first All-Star selection. At 29 years old, he has firmly established himself as a top-tier starter capable of anchoring nearly any rotation.

The upcoming 2026 season will be Ryan’s sixth with the Twins. His salary will now be determined by an arbitrator, and unless the sides reach an extension — either in Minnesota or elsewhere via trade — he will be arbitration-eligible again in 2027. Ryan is not scheduled to reach free agency until after the 2027 season.

Technically, the Twins still control his contractual future. Practically, the relationship appears increasingly fragile.

TwinsFest Absence Raises Questions

Ryan was recently named to Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster, alongside Twins star outfielder Byron Buxton — who is also not listed among TwinsFest attendees. There are numerous logical explanations for the absences, ranging from scheduling conflicts to preparation plans.

Still, timing matters. And this timing — following an arbitration dispute and amid lingering trade speculation — will inevitably be scrutinized.

TwinsFest will proceed with appearances from several cornerstone players, including Royce Lewis, Luke Keaschall, and Bailey Ober, among others. Yet the absence of one of the team’s premier pitchers stands out.

A Situation Worth Monitoring

For now, Joe Ryan remains a key part of the Twins’ rotation. But the signals surrounding his status — near-trade rumors, arbitration disagreement, and now a public-facing absence — suggest a relationship that may no longer be as stable as it once appeared.

The Twins may still hold contractual control over Joe Ryan.

Whether they hold his long-term trust is another question entirely.