Newborn Joy, WBC Prep: Twins Starter Joe Ryan's Offseason Journey
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Joe Ryan's 2022-23 offseason was anything but ordinary. While many of his teammates were traded away, Ryan found himself in a unique situation, surrounded by uncertainty. But amidst the chaos, he discovered a new focus: fatherhood.
In November, Ryan and his fiancée, Clare, welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Rowan. This unexpected turn of events provided a much-needed distraction from the baseball world. As Ryan explained, "Having the baby, it was a very nice focus to just not think about baseball and really separate there. Just think about the baby boy, Clare, and make sure everyone is happy and healthy. … Anything else was just noise. I wasn’t really putting any stock into anything I was hearing or reading or whatever."
While Ryan remained in Minnesota, the Twins organization underwent changes. New manager Derek Shelton and executive chair Tom Pohlad made an effort to communicate with him, ensuring he felt supported. Ryan appreciated these gestures, stating, "I really appreciated that. I thought it was a nice gesture. I got to talk to him and see where his vision was. I think the organization is in a good spot with him at the helm. We’ll see how that goes."
Ryan, who narrowly avoided arbitration with the Twins, agreed to a one-year, $6.2 million deal on the day of his hearing. He had a stellar season, making his first All-Star appearance with 30 starts and a 3.42 earned-run average. During this time, he also discussed the possibility of competing in the World Baseball Classic with Team USA manager Mark DeRosa.
In preparation for the tournament, which begins in early March, Ryan got off the mound earlier this year, something he had wanted to do anyway. Unlike previous offseasons, there wasn't much to tinker with or overhaul. Ryan explained, "More just mechanical, physical things that I just want to hone in on, get better at and improve in those areas. I think that takes care of a lot of the problems."
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future with the Twins, Ryan's focus on fatherhood and his commitment to Team USA for the World Baseball Classic have provided a fresh perspective. As he navigates this new phase of his life, Ryan remains dedicated to his craft, ready to take on the challenges of the upcoming season.
