With mere weeks remaining before the start of spring training, the Minnesota Twins made a surprising move. January saw a few moves for the organization: It lost a former Red Sox prospect to waivers in Mickey Gasper, signed Victor Caratini as well as a slate of minor league contracts, and made a few trades. But to end the month the organization parted ways with its president of baseball and business operations, Derek Falvey.
With a shift in ownership makeup, Tom Pohlad became the primary leader of the organization this winter and clearly sees a change of direction as a necessary step heading into the future.
“As I’ve stepped into my new role and both Derek and I have discussed the future of this organization, we came to an agreement that a change is what is in the best interest of both the Twins and of Derek,” Pohlad said of the “mutual agreement to part ways,” as reported by Matthew Leach of MLB.com.
The firing is certainly unexpected, especially with Falvey playing a central role in the front office since 2016 and leading the organization to the postseason numerous times. Yet, a blow up rebuild at the trade deadline and a bungled attempt to sell the team has brought a new approach to the fore; it’s one that may just serve the Red Sox perfectly!
Joe Ryan could be back on the trade block after Derek Falvey's firing — great news for the Red Sox
In December, MLB.com’s Brian Murphy reported that Falvey (specifically) was committed to enacting “no further subtract[ions] from the roster.” This, after sending ten of its major league players away to other teams in deals ahead of the trade deadline. A full rebuild is underway in the Twin Cities, but Falvey had determined that three key players needed to remain to underpin the next phase of Minnesota baseball. Joe Ryan was among this main cast of characters, beside Pablo Lopez and Byron Buxton, who has spent his entire career in the organization.
With Falvey gone and the rebuilding efforts continuing, we have to wonder if this line of thinking has shifted, especially if the price was right. Speaking of price, Ryan’s salary for 2026 was recently settled at $6.1 million for the season, making him a cost-effective arm if the Sox are able to pry him loose. Minnesota is currently in the market for a right handed reliever, and Boston’s pitching depth is bursting at the seams.
In a Reddit AMA posted by Matthew Leach, other targets have emerged, specifically a solid defensive shortstop. If Marcelo Mayer is the shortstop of the future and not the team’s long term answer at third, moving an electrifying prospect and potential trade bait like Franklin Arias (Keith Law’s No. 12 prospect in baseball) and a depth arm whose path to Fenway is blocked might get the job done (and Mayer himself could become that trade piece if future plans suggest a different direction).
Other infielders in the Boston organization could also be paired up with a known quantity out of the ‘pen. Tanner Houck is another option. He will be competing among a crowded field of starters in Boston upon his return from Tommy John surgery, but could potentially slot into the Twins’ bullpen (although not right away) and then make a case for a rotation spot amid an upswinging team in a rapid remodel.