The San Diego Padres may be in the market for starting pitching, and Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins is an interesting option for the team. 

It is early June, and MLB trade season is already upon us.

You know that the San Diego Padres will be active. A.J. Preller is not one to stand idly by and do nothing to improve his roster. The Padres are always capable of the big trade that could shock the baseball world. That is just how Preller rolls.

I know, I know.

You are ready to tell me that the Padres have no relevant prospects to trade. Well, that could not be farther from the truth. Just like clockwork, the San Diego Padres are armed with several prospects who’ve established themself in 2026. San Diego may not be overflowing with top 100 prospects, but there are numerous players with decent value in the system. Pundits may not be impressed with their prospects, but it is major league teams who need to be satisfied, not baseball evaluators.

Currently, the Padres’ hitting is a main concern. Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Xander Bogaerts are all slumping. Time tells you that this core four will heat up over the summer. The laws of baseball dictate that they will gain traction and get their numbers in line.

For now, besides perhaps a left-fielder or catcher, the Padres may be looking for pitching.

Pitching is always a concern for the Padres. The 2026 season is no different.

The team lost Nick Pivetta this season to injury. Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove are each still iffy to return. German Marquez is also currently shelved with an injury. The team signed Lucas Giolito last month and will surely be looking for starting pitching this trade season.

The Minnesota Twins are currently toiling seven games under the .500 mark in the AL Central Division. They are not in sell mode currently, but in the next month, teams will need to make the determination if they are buying or selling talent at or near the deadline.

If the Twins sell, right-handed pitcher Joe Ryan is a name that will be very popular on the open market.

The native of California (Bay Area) is 30 years old and owns a 3.71 ERA in his MLB career that spans six years and over 600 innings. Ryan does not walk batters (2.1 career per 9 innings) and records strikeouts at an above-average pace (10.1 per 9 innings). Despite some minor arm concerns early this season, the pitcher is very durable, starting at least 23 games in each of the last four seasons.

With one and a half years of control, Ryan is exactly what the Padres need. A top-of-the-order-type pitcher with control. He may develop even more under the tutelage of Ruben Niebla.

The cost would not be cheap, but San Diego has plenty of depth that could satisfy the Twins’ prospect itch. Again, don’t let the “experts” sway you.

A package built around Kash Mayfield or Kruz Schoolcraft could get a deal done. Minnesota may also have an eye on a few men who have emerged this season in the minors. Ryan Wideman comes to mind as one example. Minnesota may also be enthralled with a major-league-ready reliever like Bradgley Rodriguez. The Padres would love to keep Rodriguez, but the bullpen has plenty of high-leverage arms, and the right-handed pitcher may have solid trade value right now as he is pitching well in his rookie season.

There will be moves.

The Padres will trade. It is too early to throw in the towel. Despite the play of the team recently, Preller and his staff are surely looking to add.

Joe Ryan is a name to keep an eye on as the Padres look for arms to close out the year and pitch into the next season.

Preller will always Prell. That you can count on.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.