The Chicago Cubs need a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, and with spending in free agency not the preferred method of Jed Hoyer's front office, a trade for a controllable ace remains the most likely scenario for the team this offseason. Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins remains a logical target, and Minnesota's asking price may have just been leaked.
The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey recently took part in a Boston Red Sox mailbag, answering questions submitted by readers. Like the Cubs, the Red Sox are believed to be in the market for starting pitching this offseason and have had a previous connection to Ryan.