After a disappointing end to their season, the New York Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman have plenty of work to do this offseason.
Turning 34 in April, outfielder Aaron Judge is running out of time to win a World Series ring. The Yankees' roster will require several replacements, with the anticipation that not all of New York's 10 players who became free agents after the 2025 season will be with the club in 2026.
Starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon will begin this season on the injured list, and Clarke Schmidt could rehab from his Tommy John Surgery until late in the year. Mike Axisa of CBS Sports labeled Minnesota Twins right-handed starter Joe Ryan as a trade target for the Yankees this winter.
Yankees could be 'a serious contender' for Ryan.
The Twins were MLB's biggest sellers at this past year's trade deadline, and they might not be done. Ryan was undoubtedly the ace of Minnesota's pitching staff, making a team-high 30 starts with a 3.42 ERA and 5.7% walk rate. That kind of production should be attractive to clubs looking to upgrade their rotation, including the Yankees.
"Given the state of the farm system, trading for Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal would be a challenge for the Yankees," wrote Axisa. "They could have the pieces to swing a deal for Twins ace Joe Ryan, however, and that may be their preferred path, since Ryan has two years of control compared to Skubal's one."
In trade discussions involving Ryan, the Twins may ask the Yankees about players like Spencer Jones or Jasson Dominguez. Axisa believes New York can strike gold if it can convince Minnesota to entertain other packages first.
"If the Twins are willing to accept prospects in the lower minors rather than MLB-ready pieces, the Yankees would be a serious contender for the righty," wrote Axisa.
With Gerrit Cole's eventual return and Cam Schlittler's emergence, the Yankees could have one of the best rotations in baseball next season. Adding Ryan to that group may make them elite.