MN Twins Reliever Trending at MLB Trade Deadline

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Rocco Badlelli, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The 2025 MLB Trade Deadline is now just 9 days away and the Minnesota Twins sit four games below .500 at 48-52, which has emboldened team president Derek Falvey to send out signals to deadline buyers that the Twins are ready to start accepting their reality as sellers.

For now, Falvey and his front office are more determined to move on from guys who are not under team control beyond this season. However, those deals aren’t going to generate a significant amount, in return.

Jhoan Duran, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

If the Minnesota Twins are going to get serious about a roster shakeup, and look for more talent back during trade talks, they’ll have to open the deadline conversations to include those who are under contract beyond 2025.

Short of trading Joe Ryan, it’s the Twins’ high-leverage relievers that buyers are interested in. Rumors have been floating around involving both Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran, but according to ESPN, it’s the latter who is currently trending around the league, among buying teams in need of high-end bullpen help.

“This deadline is suddenly teeming with high-end relievers who will at the very least be in the rumor mill during the coming days. If the Minnesota Twins opt to move their closer — and his devastating splinker — Duran might be the best of the bunch.”

ESPN

Griffin Jax is 30 years old whereas Duran is still just 27. He is having the best season of his career and legitimately should have been an All-Star. He owns a 1.62 ERA (2.12 FIP) and has a 50/16 K/BB across 44 1/3 innings.

Although his velocity, averaging 100.3 mph on the fastball, is the lowest of his career he has made it work. The Twins closer is using his four-seam the least he ever has while leaning into the splinker and pairing a sweeper with his curveball.

Duran is making just $4.13 million this season and is arbitration eligible each of the next two seasons. Not a free agent until 2028, trade deadline buyers are salivating at the prospect of adding Jhoan to their bullpen for 2+ years, and they’ll undoubtedly be willing to pay a pretty penny, in return.

Related: Dodgers, Twins in Trade Talks Over Prized Bullpen Assets

It would be weird to see Duran in a different uniform, but this may be the time for Minnesota to cash in on their elite 27-year-old flamethrower, at peak value. Falvey has often developed leverage arms from within, but he’s never shown any inkling to keep them beyond beyond arbitration. So, the Twins should get as much in return as possible for Duran, because it’s unlikely his value goes up from here.

Minnesota Twins put themselves in this spot

Coming into the season the Minnesota Twins had every reason to believe they could contend for an AL Central division title. On paper they had arguably the best squad, and their meltdown last year was something they could put in the rearview mirror. Unfortunately they got in their own way.

Carlos Correa’s .263/.312/.386 slash line is the worst of his career. Royce Lewis has been both hurt and ineffective (79 OPS+), though he has been unstoppable the last two games.

Meanwhile, young outfielders like Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner have flopped, while guys they traded away (like Brent Rooker) have gone on to become stars elsewhere.

Aside from Byron Buxton being both healthy, and otherworldly (his 4.2 fWAR is currently 6th best in baseball), the Minnesota Twins have come up short yet again. Combined with last season’s failure, it’s hard to place faith in this core being worthy of running it back again.

Related: Minnesota Twins Getting Serious as Trade Deadline Sellers

Putting Jhoan Duran and/or Griffin Jax on the market may help the future process. But then again, it may not. And what should they do with Joe Ryan? Without a doubt, teams are going to come offering massive trade packages for the 29-year-old All-Star who gets better with every year.

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