The Milwaukee Brewers are moving quickly to address the rotation concerns that surfaced during their NLCS loss to the Dodgers.
Despite posting the best record in baseball this season, Milwaukee’s playoff run exposed some clear weaknesses in their starting depth. Now they’re being linked to Joe Ryan, the Twins’ controllable right-hander who’s emerging as a prime trade target.
It’s telling that Ryan stayed put during Minnesota’s massive July sell-off. The Twins moved nearly everyone, but they held onto their 28-year-old starter who’s under team control through 2027.
That’s exactly what makes him attractive to Milwaukee.
According to Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, the Brewers should target a controllable starting pitcher this offseason, with Ryan named as the “prime target” for exactly that type of move.
Ryan’s coming off his best season yet. First-time All-Star, career-low 3.42 ERA, and a career-high 171 innings pitched. Those aren’t flashy numbers, but they represent steady improvement and durability – two things Milwaukee needs.
The Brewers’ rotation questions go beyond just performance. Brandon Woodruff seems likely to hit free agency, which would leave a significant hole in their starting five. Milwaukee’s decision to use reliever Aaron Ashby as an opener multiple times during the playoffs pretty much told you everything about their depth concerns.
Sure, they’ve got young arms in the system. Jacob Misiorowski looks ready to contribute, but the rest of their pitching prospects remain question marks for immediate big league impact.
That’s where Ryan makes sense. He’s not a ace, but he’s a reliable middle-of-the-rotation starter who can eat innings and keep you competitive. For a team that already has the offense and bullpen pieces in place, adding that kind of stability could be the difference.
If Milwaukee pulls off a Ryan trade, they’d immediately become the NL Central favorites for the next two seasons before he hits free agency. The Brewers have shown they can develop pitching, and Ryan’s still young enough to potentially take another step forward.
The question becomes what Minnesota would want in return and whether Milwaukee’s farm system can provide it without gutting their future depth.
