Perfect SF Giants trade target may actually not be for sale at trade deadline

The SF Giants could certainly use some starting pitching help the rest of this season. One of the best options out there is Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan, but it seems as if the Twins are not interested in giving up Ryan.

Robert Murray of FanSided reported recently that the Twins have not included Ryan in trade talks and are not interested in selling at the moment. Minnesota currently sits at 47-49 and they are well back of the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central standings, but are only four games out of the third Wild Card spot.

SF Giants may have to look elsewhere for rotation help if Joe Ryan is unavailable

Of course, things can change in a hurry. If the Twins lay an egg in the first two weeks of the second half and find themselves sliding in the standings, that could recalibrate their calculus and lead them to sell.

But for now, Ryan seems like he is not available. This is a shame because he would be a perfect trade target for the Giants. He is a San Francisco native in the midst of his first All-Star season and he pitched very well in his first All-Star Game on Tuesday.

On the season, Ryan has a 9-4 record with a 2.72 ERA in 19 appearances and 109 and 1/3 innings pitched. He has struck out 121 batters on the season while walking 23 and has a 0.91 WHIP.

Ryan would do a ton to stabilize a rotation that currently has three solid members and two big question marks. Both Logan Webb and Robbie Ray were All-Stars and are the anchors of the rotation. Landen Roupp has also proven to be very solid as of late. However, Justin Verlander and Hayden Birdsong have been more than a little shaky.

If the Giants are going to make the playoffs, it is going to be due to their pitching. Adding Ryan, or some other starter, would give the Giants four solid starters and would make them a formidable team to face in a playoff series.

Even if the Twins are not going to trade Ryan, there are other options out there, including one right in the NL West.

Ryan would have been perfect given his ties to the Bay Area, but the Giants still need to take a hard look at any potential rotation help available at the trade deadline even if he is not for sale.

More SF Giants rumors: