Latest news with #Durán
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Could Yankees Land Lockdown Twins Closer in 3-Player Blockbuster?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Yankees' bullpen has been a surprising Achilles' heel this season. Not only have the Yankees been one of the more reliable bullpen teams of the last half-decade, but they made a huge trade to add a lockdown closer before the season. Unfortunately, Devin Williams hasn't been his typical self for much of the season, though he's heated up lately. Perhaps the most effective way for the Yankees to re-establish their contender status is to bring in a top closer at the trade deadline to share the high-leverage workload with Williams. DETROIT, MI - JUNE 27: Jhoan Duran #59 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after striking out Parker Meadows of the Detroit Tigers for the final out in a Twins 4-1 win at Comerica Park on... DETROIT, MI - JUNE 27: Jhoan Duran #59 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after striking out Parker Meadows of the Detroit Tigers for the final out in a Twins 4-1 win at Comerica Park on June 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. MoreESPN's Tristan Cockcroft has a name in mind for the Yankees to snag: fireballer Jhoan Durán of the Minnesota Twins. On Tuesday, Cockcroft proposed a mock trade that would bring Durán to New York and send two top prospects, infielder Roc Riggio and right-handed pitcher Carlos Lagrange, to Minnesota. "Acquiring Duran will be costly -- Lagrange has a similarly filthy fastball to Duran's and has been dominating in Double-A (2.35 ERA, 38.8 K% in his past six starts) -- but why not go big when you're a defending league champion in need?" wrote Cockcroft. "Duran, with his 100-mph heater, presents a nice contrast in styles to Williams' Airbender and Weaver's rising fastball. Remember, a dominant bullpen was critical to the Yankees' playoff run last year -- theirs had a 2.67 postseason ERA." Durán, 27, has a 2.01 ERA in 49 appearances this season, striking out 53 batters. He still somehow hasn't been an All-Star in his four big-league seasons, but all he's done is produce, with a 2.47 career ERA. Lagrange would be more valuable in the long run than Durán if he develops into a rotation fixture, but there's still a chance he could be a closer, in which case he'd be hoping for a career trajectory much like Durán's. More MLB: Blue Jays Must Address This 'Urgent' Flaw At Trade Deadline, Says Top MLB Analyst
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Dodgers Predicted To Bring Top AL Central Fireballer To Los Angeles
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been awfully quiet so far ahead of Thursday's trade deadline. Granted, the same can be said of a lot of teams. Major League Baseball's expanded playoff format has pushed most of the trade action right back until the deadline. The Dodgers know they're buying, but they have to figure out who's selling. One team still up in the air is the Minnesota Twins, who entered Monday with a record of 50-55. It would seem they're trending toward selling, and that could be a huge win for the Dodgers. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 09: A view of a Los Angeles Dodgers hat in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on April 09, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Dodgers defeated the... MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 09: A view of a Los Angeles Dodgers hat in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on April 09, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Dodgers defeated the Twins 6-3. MoreFireballing Twins closer Jhoan Durán could be the bullpen prize of the trade deadline if he's dealt. And the Dodgers could use another option to close out games, so Durán would be extremely appealing. On Sunday, Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut predicted that the Dodgers would bring Durán to Los Angeles by 6 p.m. ET on Thursday. "The Los Angeles Dodgers anticipated having one of the best bullpens in MLB this season. Unfortunately for Dave Roberts and Co., injuries have decimated the relief corps. It puts Los Angeles in a dire position, requiring an aggressive move," wrote Johnson. "The Minnesota Twins want a premium return for closer Jhoan Duran (1.90 ERA and .537 OPS allowed) and for good reason, since he's arbitration-eligible through 2027. Ultimately, the Dodgers will be willing to win the bidding war to provide stability in the 9th inning for an October run." Not only is Durán potentially the best relief arm available, but the National League is full of teams that need high-leverage relievers. The Philadelphia Phillies don't have a clear-cut closer, and the New York Mets have a pretty thin bullpen as well. If the Dodgers bring in Durán, they'll reassert themselves as top World Series contenders, as the bullpen is one of the few things dragging them down these days. More MLB: Yankees Trade Rumors: New York 'Eyeing' Rockies Standout Reliever
Newsweek
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Dodgers Reportedly Checking Temperature About Twins All-Star Closer
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Dodgers are trying to hold on to the lead in the National League West as the trade deadline approaches, and are reaching out to teams about their closers, including the Minnesota Twins, per a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JULY 13: Jhoan Duran #59 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth inning at Target Field on July 13, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Pirates... MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JULY 13: Jhoan Duran #59 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth inning at Target Field on July 13, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Pirates defeated the Twins 2-1. More Photo byThe Dodgers have endured a season-ending injury to Evan Phillips, along with injuries to Michael Kopech and Blake Treinen, who could still return this season, but to combat these issues, they have called the Twins about Jhoan Durán, per Nightengale. Durán has saved 20-plus games in back-to-back seasons leading up to this season, and is on pace to reach that mark once again. In his 44 1/3 innings this season, Durán has struck out 50 hitters while walking 16 and has a 1.62 ERA, which is the best of his career. Meanwhile, the Twins entered Tuesday sitting in fourth of the American League Central, but just 4 1/2 games back for the final wild card spot. While the Twins could make a run with a good week, they are likely setting up to sell off expiring contracts at the trade deadline. While Durán is not set to be a free agent until 2028, the Twins could still move him if the price is right, and the Dodgers have the talent to meet that price to make them, at the very least, consider the offer. While the Dodgers and Twins look to be on different paths this season, the pair could come together at the deadline and make a blockbuster move that strengthens the defending champions down the stretch. More MLB: A's Reportedly Shopping Starting Pitchers As Deadline Hot Stove Heats Up
Newsweek
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Cubs Urged To Swing Massive Trade For $4 Million Star Closer
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Chicago Cubs are loaded with talent, but they could still use some help in the coming weeks. While their lineup is among the most talented in the league, the front office could look to upgrade the pitching staff. The bullpen, headlined by offseason acquisition Ryan Pressly, could use some upgrading, too. There's a chance the Cubs look to land one of the better closers on the market. FanSided's Christopher Kline recently urged the Cubs to swing a huge trade for Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran before the upcoming trade deadline. DETROIT, MI - JUNE 27: Jhoan Duran #59 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after striking out Parker Meadows of the Detroit Tigers for the final out in a Twins 4-1 win at Comerica Park on... DETROIT, MI - JUNE 27: Jhoan Duran #59 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after striking out Parker Meadows of the Detroit Tigers for the final out in a Twins 4-1 win at Comerica Park on June 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. More"Of the available relievers at this trade deadline, none profile better than Minnesota Twins fireballer Jhoan Durán. It remains to be seen if the Twins actually want to sell off a controllable reliever with a Wild Card spot technically still within reach, but the right combination of prospects will force Minnesota's hand," Kline wrote. "Every team wants a high-leverage arm in the closing role, so Durán will drum up quite the bidding war in the weeks ahead. "Blending triple-digit heat with a nasty splitter, Durán has elite swing-and-miss stuff. Through 44 appearances and 43.1 innings pitched this season, the 27-year-old boasts a 1.66 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 49 strikeouts. He has 15 saves to his name and is under team control through 2027, giving Chicago the potential for three postseason runs with Durán before worrying about a second contract." Duran is one of the more talented pitchers in baseball. He routinely hits triple digits with his fastball and pairs it with a splitter that runs up into the mid-90s, too. The Cubs would have to cut ties with a haul of prospects to land Duran, but it would be worth it. His age, talent, and team control make him one of the more intriguing pitchers on the market. Chicago has been aggressive this season. It will need to get even more aggressive to land a franchise closer this month. More MLB: Mariners Linked To Massive Trade For Diamondbacks' $10.9 Million Slugger
Newsweek
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Detroit Tagged As Fit For Division Rival Closer As Trade Deadline Draws Near
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Detroit Tigers have a substantial lead on the American League Central, and while Will Vest has been a dominating force in their bullpen, they could use the depth as they lock their eyes on the World Series. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins sit four games back of the final Wild Card spot and have a lights-out closer in Jhoan Durán that Tim Britton, Aaron Gleeman, and Chad Jennings of The Athletic rank as the No. 8 player on their trade deadline big board. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 25: Jhoan Duran #59 of the Minnesota Twins pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at Target Field on June 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 25: Jhoan Duran #59 of the Minnesota Twins pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at Target Field on June 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo byThe chances of Durán being moved are solely dependent on how the Twins fare over the next two and a half weeks. If Minnesota can claw its way back up the American League Wild Card standings, then it may hold off on trading Durán as it looks to make it back to October. Durán has been one of the league's best relievers over the last four seasons, posting a 2.40 career ERA, and has not allowed a home run this season as the season closes in on the All-Star break. Durán would come at a hefty price, as he is under team control until 2028. If the Twins find themselves as sellers in two weeks, the righty could be a hot topic in front offices if his services become available. Much like Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals, Durán's trade probability depends on how the Twins play over the next couple of weeks. Durán has electrifying stuff, and if he is to become available, the Tigers should be calling their division rival about the cost of adding the Twins' closer to their ranks. More MLB: Tigers Reportedly Inquire About Former Gold Glove Third Baseman As Interest Grows
