The Boston Red Sox have not lost a game since the trade deadline, yet criticism continues over their decision not to acquire Minnesota Twins All-Star pitcher Joe Ryan. This ongoing debate revolves around whether missing out on Ryan was a mistake or simply a reflection of a team confident in its current roster.
Closer Look at the Trade Discussions Involving Joe Ryan
Although Red Sox fans would have welcomed the addition of Joe Ryan, the team has delivered strong performances lately with its existing lineup. However, questions remain about whether Boston’s front office could have better utilized their assets during trade talks. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic initially voiced sharp criticism immediately after the deadline, claiming the Red Sox made only a weak effort to land Ryan.
Ken Rosenthal Revises His Opinion on the Red Sox’s Trade Attempts
Rosenthal soon moderated his harsh comments, acknowledging that reports showed the Red Sox actually engaged quite closely with the Twins in pursuit of Ryan. On his “Fair Territory” show, Rosenthal admitted he might have been too severe in calling Boston’s bid “feeble at best.” Despite this, he maintained that Boston still fell short of making a truly compelling offer, particularly by not including a major-league outfielder among their proposals.
The Red Sox did not push for Ryan until the final hour. And though it was later reported they made various offers with multiple Top 100 prospects, none of their proposals included a major-league outfielder. And the bottom line is, the Sox did not sufficiently entice the Twins,
Ken Rosenthal added.
If the Twins were going to part with Ryan for three pennant races, it was not unreasonable for them to want one of the Sox’s outfielders, either Jarren Duran (three additional years of control) or Wilyer Abreu (four). And as hot as the Red Sox are, it also would not have been unreasonable for them to make such a deal (the Twins did not even broach the possibility of Roman Anthony).
Performance of Key Outfielders Challenges Trade Criticism
Ironically, the validity of trading away outfielders like Duran or Abreu is called into question by the Red Sox’s recent win against the Kansas City Royals. Roman Anthony was scratched shortly before the game, while both Duran and Abreu had significant contributions in an 8-5 victory, marking Boston’s sixth consecutive win. Their strong performances provide a counterpoint to the argument that the team should have traded them to secure Ryan.
Looking Ahead: The Uncertain Future of Trade Decisions
Only time will reveal if the Red Sox missed an opportunity by not acquiring Joe Ryan before the deadline. The team might still negotiate for Ryan during the offseason, but giving up reliable outfielders like Duran or Abreu remains a questionable decision. For now, Boston’s current roster continues to deliver competitive results, keeping fans hopeful as the season progresses.