Red Sox Set Their Sights on Joe Ryan After Missed Trade Deadline Opportunity
The Boston Red Sox, fresh off a disappointing 2025 campaign, are already shifting their focus to the offseason and eyeing ways to improve their pitching staff. With the trade deadline behind them, the Red Sox are reportedly revisiting a deal that nearly came to fruition earlier this year—acquiring Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan.
According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the Red Sox are expected to make another push for Ryan, who has established himself as one of the league’s more reliable starting pitchers. After failing to secure a deal for the 29-year-old right-hander at the deadline, Boston is reportedly preparing to pursue Ryan once more in the offseason, as the team looks to address its rotation woes and strengthen its chances for the 2026 season.
A Key Target for Boston’s Rotation
Ryan’s numbers from the 2025 season make him an attractive target for a team like the Red Sox. He finished the season with a 3.42 ERA, 194 strikeouts over 171 innings, and a bWAR of 4.5. Despite a slight dip in his performance toward the end of the season, Ryan remains a steady and durable option for any contending team. He has two years remaining on his contract, which makes him an even more appealing trade candidate for the Red Sox, who are eager to bolster their starting rotation.
Ryan's ability to miss bats, particularly with his fastball and slider, gives him the potential to be a difference-maker in Boston’s rotation. His consistency and durability would help provide stability to a starting staff that struggled at times in 2025, particularly with injuries and inconsistency from some key arms.
Breslow's Commitment to Improvement
Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow has made it clear that improving the team’s pitching staff is a top priority heading into the offseason. Following a season that saw the Red Sox fall short of playoff contention, Breslow has said the team will “do everything we can” to improve, particularly in the rotation. "We need to figure out ways to improve the team... and that could take a number of shapes," Breslow stated, underscoring the team’s commitment to building a more competitive roster in 2026.
Breslow’s comments suggest that the Red Sox are already actively looking for ways to strengthen their pitching, and the addition of Ryan would provide the team with a proven, top-tier arm to pair with their younger talents. If the Red Sox are serious about competing in the highly competitive AL East, adding a pitcher like Ryan could be a key move.
Looking Toward the Future
The Red Sox’s pursuit of Ryan is part of a larger strategy to build a more balanced and competitive team. While the team’s offensive core remains strong, especially with stars like Rafael Devers and Jarren Duran leading the charge, it is clear that the pitching staff needs bolstering to take the next step. If the Red Sox can secure Ryan, they will not only address a major need but also give themselves a reliable ace who can take the mound in key moments for years to come.
As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on the Red Sox as they navigate potential trade opportunities. With a strong commitment to improving their pitching and the opportunity to land a pitcher of Ryan’s caliber, Boston is setting itself up to make a significant move for the future.
The question remains: Will the Red Sox be able to close the deal on Joe Ryan this time, or will another team swoop in to land the Twins’ ace? Regardless of the outcome, Boston’s focus on improving its pitching staff signals that the team is determined to be a force in the AL East once again.
Bengals cut ties with strong-armed QB amid Jake Browning struggles
The Cincinnati Bengals are trying to figure things out at quarterback with Joe Burrow out injured.
And so on Tuesday they... got rid of a QB?
Yep. They cut Mike White from the practice squad, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
White was one of two quarterbacks the Bengals signed after Burrow's injury. He previously started for the New York Jets. He spent this summer with the Buffalo Bills but didn't make their team. White has an odd football journey, having not been as good as you'd expect in college, but his raw arm strength has kept him around the league.
But the Bengals apparently didn't like what they'd seen from him in his few weeks on the practice squad and have cut White loose.
Jake Browning is still the starter, for now, although his tendency to throw interceptions is putting that job at risk.
Browning went 4-3 two seasons ago starting in place of Burrow, but it has been much rougher this time around.
The Bengals have two other options currently on their roster.
The QB2 since Burrow is out has been Brett Rypien, who was with the Bengals all summer and knows Zac Taylor's system.
The other quarterback on the practice squad with White has been Sean Clifford. He was with the Packers over the summer and was once a star at Penn State.
There's also a chance the Bengals are eying other QB moves to follow the release of White, but nothing has been announced as of yet.
If Cincinnati wants to save its season, something has to get figured out in a hurry.
