Jeff Passan Reveals How ‘Close’ Red Sox Were To Shocking Joe Ryan Trade

Some reports indicate the Boston Red Sox nearly acquired Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan before the MLB trade deadline; others suggest the two sides were far apart. So, what’s the truth?

ESPN’s Jeff Passan, perhaps the most trusted insider covering Major League Baseball, offered new insight in a wide-ranging piece published Monday.

“Boston came close,” Passan wrote. “The Red Sox were willing to part with a number of high-end prospects to land right-hander Joe Ryan from the Minnesota Twins. But that wasn’t expressed until the deadline was nearing, and the Twins were so deep in other talks to disassemble their roster, the prospect of moving Ryan had lost appeal.”

While the Red Sox came up empty in their pursuit of Ryan, it’s fair to wonder whether they’ll revisit talks with the Twins next offseason. Ryan has two years of control left on his contract, so many teams likely will be interested in a trade if Minnesota makes the 29-year-old available.

Boston didn’t completely whiff at the deadline. The Red Sox traded prospects James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher Dustin May and prospect Blaze Jordan to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher Steven Matz.

Despite negative press coming out of the deadline, Boston responded by sweeping the Houston Astros and moving to within three games of the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the American League East.