{"id":81394,"date":"2025-07-21T07:25:49","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T07:25:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=81394"},"modified":"2025-07-21T07:25:49","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T07:25:49","slug":"report-dodgers-twins-in-trade-talks-over-prized-bullpen-assets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=81394","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Dodgers, Twins in Trade Talks Over Prized Bullpen Assets"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Griffin<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Minnesota Twins relievers in focus for Los Angeles Dodgers<\/h2>\n

The Minnesota Twins have one of baseball\u2019s best bullpens. That\u2019s largely because of their high-leverage arms. The combination of Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax do the heavy lifting there. USA Today columnist\u00a0Bob Nightengale\u00a0is\u00a0reporting\u00a0that the Los Angeles Dodgers are interested.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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\u2026 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s not surprising that the Minnesota Twins are getting calls about their top relievers. This season Duran has a\u00a01.66 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.<\/p>\n

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Pairing well with Duran, Griffin Jax has a\u00a03.92 ERA (1.88 FIP)\u00a0and 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.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Phillies calling too, the market could dictate it being necessary.<\/p>\n

Relievers represent chance for MN Twins blockbuster<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t often need high-leverage relief help. That\u2019s the sort of thing competing franchises add to put them over the top.<\/p>\n