MINNEAPOLIS -- For the second time in three years, the Twins will likely be heading to an arbitration hearing. The club agreed to terms with six of their arbitration-eligible players but not with star right-hander Joe Ryan.
Ryan Jeffers, Bailey Ober, Royce Lewis, Cole Sands, Trevor Larnach, and Alex Jackson agreed to one-year deals for the 2026 season ahead of Thursday's deadline to exchange figures. However, Ryan and the Twins did not come to an agreement, meaning his 2026 salary will most likely be determined in an arbitration hearing. He is not eligible for free agency until after the 2027 season.
The Twins offered $5.85 million, while Ryan asked for $6.35 million. If it does in fact go to a hearing, the arbitration panel will choose one figure or the other, and that will be Ryan’s salary for 2026.
Ryan, 29, is coming off his best season in the Major Leagues. He went 13-10 with a career-best 3.42 ERA and 194 strikeouts in a career high 171 innings. He made his first All-Star team and reached 30 starts for the first time in his career. He was frequently mentioned in trade rumors earlier this winter, but the Twins' front office has stated that it does not intend to trade any of the club’s star players at this time.
Teams and players are permitted to continue negotiating after the deadline for the exchange of figures. However, it has become common for clubs to treat the deadline as an unofficial cutoff and instead proceed to arbitration hearings with any players who have not agreed by that time.
The Twins are one such club, meaning that they will not continue negotiating with Ryan on a one-year deal. Team policy does not preclude them from negotiating a multiyear deal with players after the exchange of figures.