Dodgers, Twins in Trade Talks Over Prized Bullpen Assets

Yahoo

3 days ago

With the All-Star Break in the rearview mirror the Minnesota Twins took the field with 12 games left before the trade deadline. They needed to go at least 7-5 in order to end the month .500. They immediately made it harder on themselves by losing two games to the Colorado Rockies.
Now at 47-51 it's hard to think that Derek Falvey should be interested in adding to this team. Short of Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan's stellar season, Minnesota has struggled all year.
To what extent the MN Twins sell remains to be seen. They have a few expiring contracts that would be easy to move. Beyond that though, there are some controllable arms that are sure to draw interest. Los Angeles is already calling.
Related Headlines
Report: Kirill Kaprizov Contract Talks with MN Wild Stalled Out
MN Twins Reliever Trending at MLB Trade Deadline
Minnesota Twins Getting Serious as Trade Deadline Sellers
Minnesota Twins relievers in focus for Los Angeles Dodgers
The Minnesota Twins have one of baseball's best bullpens. That's largely because of their high-leverage arms. The combination of Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax do the heavy lifting there. USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale is reporting that the Los Angeles Dodgers are interested.
'The Dodgers, who swore up and down all winter and spring that they were going to stay out of the trade market, now have no choice but to get another reliever… It leaves the Dodgers scouring the market, talking with the Minnesota Twins about Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins, Bautista of the Baltimore Orioles, Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals, David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians.'
Bob Nightengale – USA Today
It's not surprising that the Minnesota Twins are getting calls about their top relievers. This season Duran has a 1.66 ERA (2.14 FIP) and 49/16 K/BB in 43 1/3 innings. He has been the best version of himself and was worthy of an All-Star selection.
Pairing well with Duran, Griffin Jax has a 3.92 ERA (1.88 FIP) and a career-best 14.4 K/9. Despite some bad luck that inflated his ERA, the FIP is reflective of the stuff, and he might be the most overlooked relief arm in baseball.
Duran is 27 while Jax is 30, but both are under team control through the 2027 season. Duran has drawn trade interest before, and the Dodgers specifically have questioned his availability. It would be hard for Minnesota to move their best bullpen arms, but with the Phillies calling too, the market could dictate it being necessary.
Relievers represent chance for MN Twins blockbuster
Neither Byron Buxton or Carlos Correa are going anywhere at the trade deadline. It seems tough to imagine the front office moving Matt Wallner or Royce Lewis at a depreciated value. Getting something for a veteran on an expiring contract has a limit in terms of a real return.
If Falvey and general manager Jeremy Zoll were to move either Duran or Jax, it would be their best chance to get real value back. That could come in the form of prospect capital or a big league bat. Mediocre or bad teams don't often need high-leverage relief help. That's the sort of thing competing franchises add to put them over the top.
At some point the Minnesota Twins front office must decide a path forward. For the past two years they have largely done nothing and it has left them with an unchanged core that now is failing to get the job done.
Related:
Duran or Jax won't bring back prospects capable of turning the page for Minnesota on their own. The decision to make a swap though would signify a willingness to embark on that journey as the roster is turned over.
Related Headlines
Report: Kirill Kaprizov Contract Talks with MN Wild Stalled Out
MN Twins Reliever Trending at MLB Trade Deadline
Minnesota Twins Getting Serious as Trade Deadline Sellers