The Boston Red Sox are expected to pursue starting pitching this offseason, from either the free agent or trade market. The Red Sox have been linked to Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan multiple times since the All-Star break, and he could be an ideal No. 2 starter behind Garrett Crochet in their rotation.
The competition for Ryan could be fierce, especially since so many teams saw that the Twins nearly parted with him at the trade deadline. Minnesota has another starting pitcher Boston could pursue if it doesn't land Ryan — Pablo López.
Tim Healey of The Boston Globe proposed López as a potential trade candidate for the Red Sox, and a trade for him could make a lot of sense (subscription required). He and Ryan are the same age, have the same number of years remaining on their contracts and have similar track records throughout their careers with the Twins.
López is due more money than Ryan next season — López's pay will be $21.75 million while Ryan's salary will be determined in arbitration — as he signed a four-year, $73.5 million extension in 2023. López's higher salary could deter the Red Sox from trading for him since they're already so close to the luxury tax, but with their contending window fully open, their offseason pursuits shouldn't be hampered by self-imposed financial restrictions.
Red Sox could trade for Pablo López from Twins if Joe Ryan pursuits don't pan out
López is a career 3.81 ERA pitcher with a 1.175 WHIP over 965 innings in his eight-year MLB career. The righty only pitched 75.2 frames in 2025 due to a teres major strain he sustained in the middle of the season, but the Twins activated him in September, so he should be fully healthy. López posted a 2.74 ERA with a 1.110 WHIP, 73 strikeouts and 20 walks last season.
The veteran has a history of elite performance. In 2023, he clocked a 3.66 ERA with 234 strikeouts over 194 innings, which earned him his first and only All-Star nomination so far, and he came in seventh place for the American League Cy Young Award.
Like Ryan, López would be a solid middle rotation option to give the Sox a lift behind Crochet. After Lucas Giolito's likely departure in free agency, Boston could use another veteran presence in the rotation, and López has the experience and success to fit in well with it's established players and top prospects.