NL Contender Very Interested in MN Twins Relievers

The Minnesota Twins must find a way to close the gap between their wins and losses before the end of the month. At 45-48 following Thursday’s loss against the Chicago Cubs, a .500 record before the trade deadline seems like the bare minimum for them to be buyers this season.

Opposing clubs are already looking to the Twins when figuring out their own trade plans. They are being viewed as sellers, and the results haven’t done much to suggest that Derek Falvey should aggressively add for the first time in years.

There is a group of six impending free agents that the MN Twins should have no qualms about trading. The Philadelphia Phillies, and other teams, are looking at controllable talent as well. Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran are at the top of that list.

Minnesota Twins leverage arms drawing interest from Phillies

It wouldn’t take a ton for the MN Twins to part with Harrison Bader, Ty France, Danny Coulombe, Christian Vazquez, or Willi Castro. Those guys are all on the final year of their deal and should be the first to go. A team wanting to acquire either Jhoan Duran or Griffin Jax will have to pony up, and Matt Gelb of The Athletic suggests the Philadelphia Phillies are exploring that option.

“The Phillies have a specific interest in the American League Central; they began scouting the Minnesota Twins more heavily this week in anticipation of them being sellers, league sources said. Griffin Jax and Jhoan Durán will be prized targets if Minnesota makes them available. They’re expected to listen…Any of those relievers would cost the Phillies multiple top prospects. If the Phillies landed one, it would fill an immediate hole and also provide future bullpen stability.”

Matt Gelb – The Athletic

Griffin Jax is 30 years old and not a free agent until 2028. He is making just $2.37 million this season, and won’t see substantial raises through arbitration given the antiquated nature of the system. He has a 4.12 ERA but a 1.92 FIP and the highest K/9 of his career (14.6). Jax is among the best relievers in baseball and would immediately be the top of a bullpen pecking order for multiple teams.

Jhoan Duran is younger at just 27 years old, but is under team control until 2028 as well. After a 3.64 ERA last season, and declining velocity, he now owns a 1.52 ERA (2.29 FIP) and has been dominant enough to warrant All-Star Game consideration. He’s not the same fireballer he was in 2023, but this version might be a better, more complete pitcher.

The Phillies, and any other contending team, should come knocking for both bullpen arms. Mediocre or bad teams don’t need to worry about saving games. Rocco Baldelli’s bullpen would take a huge hit losing either of them, but both could be the most realistic path to a significant return.

Related: Minnesota Twins Open to Trading Joe Ryan…?

Whether or not the Minnesota Twins sell remains up in the air. That will be decided in the coming weeks. What will be interesting if they do, is what Derek Falvey askes for in return given his track record of not spending on relief. Losing two great arms, who cost very little, makes the rebuild that much more difficult.

What could the MN Twins get for their relief stars?

As Gelb noted, no team is getting Jax or Duran from the Minnesota Twins without including one top prospect. Although they aren’t starting pitchers, they are maybe the two best relievers that could be available on the trade market. That’s an area multiple postseason teams target to improve, and Falvey shouldn’t be looking to cut anyone a deal.

Griffin Jax, K'ing the Side in the 8th. pic.twitter.com/VJVJbq6DKV

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 28, 2025

Philadelphia probably isn’t going to part with starting pitcher Andrew Painter (MLB #10) for a reliever, but they have six total prospects in the top 100. Aiden Miller (SS #22), Justin Crawford (OF #49), Eduardo Tait (C #63), Mick Abel (SP #87), and Aroon Escobar (2B #97) are all there as well. Tait is at Single-A but is just 18 years old. The rest of that group, save for Escobar, should be an MLB option this year or next.

It would be tough to see Jax or Duran pitch elsewhere. Both are development products for the MN Twins, and both went the failed starter route. Each has carved out a crucial role in relief, and neither should be someone the franchise wants to face regularly. Maybe a deal with a National League team softens the blow a bit.

No matter what, if the Twins do become full-blown sellers, it would be surprising to see them opt against moving any of their controllable assets.