Orioles’ path to Joe Ryan just got messier after shocking Twins shake-up

The Baltimore Orioles are among the teams looking to add a frontline starting pitcher before Opening Day. While the expectation is that the Orioles would turn to the free-agent market to address that need, they still have the prospect capital to take another swing at the trade market and bring in someone with a higher ceiling than Shane Baz. Tarik Skubal is the potential trade that everyone wants to talk about, but the expectation remains that the Detroit Tigers will hold onto him for now.

Instead, many teams have been wondering what the situation is with Joe Ryan and the Minnesota Twins. The Twins and Boston Red Sox ran out of time at the deadline when talking about a potential Ryan trade, and there was a belief that Minnesota would make their All-Star starter available this offseason.

That hasn't been the case...yet. The Twins have been telling folks throughout the league that they plan on contending in 2026 and, as such, will be holding onto Ryan. That may still be the case, but the Twins just had a shocking front office change that could change everything. Despite spring training being less than two weeks away, the Twins announced on Friday that they have parted ways with their president of baseball operations, Derek Falvey.

Oddly-timed Twins shake-up could completely alter Orioles' chance of Joe Ryan trade

The timing of the "mutual decision" is shocking, considering Falvey was at the center of the team's search for a new manager at the start of the offseason, and essentially completed the heavy-lifting of Minnesota's offseason. It's simply an awkward time to be making such a significant change to the Twins' front office.

A team that is planning on contending doesn't part ways with its top baseball voice on the eve of spring training. Twins owner Tom Pohlad wants everyone to believe that Minnesota will be competitive this season, but the actions of the organization don't really match the words of Pohlad.

The door may have just been cracked open for the Orioles to slip through and pull off a trade for Ryan. It would certainly still be a steep price, considering he comes with multiple years of control and he is fresh off his first All-Star selection, but one Baltimore shouldn't shy away from. If they do, they risk the Red Sox being the team to take advantage of the Twins' dysfunction.