The Washington Nationals have already started making moves this offseason, but the biggest swing of all may still be ahead of them.
With general manager meetings beginning on Nov. 9, the early shape of the winter could become clearer, especially with the looming labor lockout hanging over everything. That uncertainty has left front offices guessing about how aggressive they can really be, and how much money ownership will be willing to approve in free agency if the 2027 season ends up in doubt.
Even with that cloud overhead, Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni has not been sitting still. He has already trimmed the 40-man roster and completed two trades to strengthen the big league club. Still, at some point, Washington has to land a true impact arm.
That’s where Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan comes in.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY, Ryan is expected to be shopped this winter. “They’ll certainly dangle him and listen to see if any offers make sense now, or wait until next July when his value may rise,” reported Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY.
Ryan is under team control through the 2027 season, which puts the Twins in a tricky spot. They have to decide whether the best return comes now or closer to the trade deadline. There’s also the added risk tied to the labor situation: if baseball isn’t played in 2027 and Minnesota keeps him, the club could lose him for nothing instead of turning him into pieces for the rebuild.
For Washington, this is the kind of opportunity that should get their attention immediately.
Ryan has put together three straight seasons with an ERA below 4.00. Over 450 2/3 innings in that stretch, he has been 17 points above the league average mark of 100 in ERA+, while striking out 500 batters and walking only 93.
That kind of profile would change the Nationals’ rotation in a hurry. Pairing Ryan with Cade Cavalli would give Washington a legitimate top-end duo, with rising lefty Connelly Early behind them. If the Nationals could also work out a long-term deal after acquiring him, they’d suddenly have three high-end starters to build around.
Of course, getting Ryan would not come cheaply. And there’s another layer to this market, too.
MLB Network insider Jon Morosi said Ryan is “unlikely to be moved for prospects this month” because teams are unsure what 2027 will look like. Morosi added that impending free agents like Ryan may only be moved for each other in order to offset the risk involved.
Even with that complication, Ryan is exactly the kind of pitcher the Nationals should be chasing. If the Twins are serious about moving him, Washington ought to be in the middle of those talks.
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