Dodgers Land Pair of Twins Relievers, Infielder in Theoretical Trade

Newsweek

26-07-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
With more injuries than several teams combined, the Los Angeles Dodgers have no choice but to add to their bullpen at the trade deadline.
Former general manager Jim Bowden knows the deadline better than most and predicts the Dodgers will go out and bring in Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax and infielder Willi Castro from the Minnesota Twins.
Here is the full trade breakdown:
Los Angeles Dodgers acquire: RHP Jhoan Duran, RHP Griffin Jax, INF Willi Castro
Minnesota Twins acquire: OF Josue De Paula (Dodgers No. 1 prospect), LHP Jackson Ferris (Dodgers No. 6 prospect), RHP Bobby Miller, OF Jaron Elkins (Dodgers No. 23 prospect)
DENVER, CO - JULY 20: Relief pitcher Jhoan Duran #59 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 20, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER, CO - JULY 20: Relief pitcher Jhoan Duran #59 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 20, 2025 in Denver, Colorado."Duran has 15 saves and a 1.94 ERA over 46 appearances thanks to his overpowering triple-digit fastball," wrote Bowden. "He would immediately become the Dodgers' closer. Jax has 68 strikeouts in 44 innings with a 4.09 ERA and 1.23 WHIP, after logging a 2.03 ERA and 0.87 WHIP last season. Both are under team control through 2027. In addition, the Dodgers would land Castro, a valuable utilityman who can play all over the field and protect them against future injuries. Los Angeles always looks to acquire positional flexibility. Castro has a 112 OPS+ and will be a free agent after this season."
The Dodgers would certainly better themselves by adding two quality relievers as well as Castro. With players like Kike Hernandez and Max Muncy being inconsistent at the plate, it would make sense to go out and grab an infielder like Castro, who is on an expiring deal, to try and some juice in the lineup.
As for the Twins, this would be a great way for them to retool the roster and load up to push for a playoff spot next season.
"In return, the Twins would land a haul," wrote Bowden. "They'd get a future middle-of-the-order impact bat in De Paula, who needs a lot of work defensively but has a chance to develop into an All-Star bat with power. De Paula, 20, is No. 17 in Keith Law's new ranking of the game's top prospects. They'd also get Ferris, who profiles as a mid-rotation starter but is still a couple of years away, and Miller, 26, a reclamation project who could benefit from a change of scenery. Elkins, a 20-year-old outfielder at High A, would be a throw-in to close the deal. But the key to the trade for the Twins would be De Paula, who has slashed .262/.409/.416 with 10 homers and 28 steals this season in High A."
De Paula and Ferris would certainly be the prizes of this package as the Dodgers would be sending a lot back to Minnesota. Even Miller, who hasn't had the most success to this point in his career, could certainly benefit from a change of scenery and a place where he wouldn't face as much pressure like Sonny Gray when he left the Bronx.
This is a trade that allows the Dodgers to go all-in at the deadline. Is it an overpay? Absolutely it is. However, it also sets them up as good as possible to become back-to-back World Series champions. And you can't put a price on that.
More MLB: Red Sox Add Pitcher; Padres Get Outfielder in Insider's 3-Team Trade Proposal