The Athletic’s Jim Bowden recently polled a group of MLB executives in order to give a clearer picture of what to expect ahead of the trade deadline this season. One of the more shocking rumors revealed in this poll was the belief that the Minnesota Twins would cut ties with relievers Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran.

“Duran, 27, is under team control through the 2027 season. He’s having an excellent season with a 1.69 ERA over 39 games, 12 saves, and 42 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings,” Bowden wrote. “Jax, 30, is controllable through 2027 and has a 4.08 ERA with 60 strikeouts over 35 1/3 innings. In his breakout 2024 season, he logged a 2.03 ERA over 72 appearances. The Twins are faltering but I was surprised that both of these relievers were mentioned by execs. Wishful thinking by some contending teams?”

If the Twins decide to shop Duran at the deadline, he’d be one of the more coveted players on the market. Jax would be sought after, too, but not to the same level as Duran would.

Either way, the New York Yankees would make sense as a potential landing spot. They’d likely be willing to spend the prospect capital to acquire Jax, but not enough to bring in Duran. Either way, adding another talented arm to the backend of the bullpen in the Bronx would be huge for Aaron Boone’s squad.

The New York Mets could use bullpen help, too. They have Edwin Diaz at the backend, but adding somebody like Jax or Duran. Pairing Diaz with a reliever of Duran’s caliber would give New York one of the better bullpens in baseball.

The Philadelphia Phillies need a closer as desperately as anybody. Jose Alvarado is currently suspended and will also miss the postseason this year. Adding Duran would give them a reliable closer for the backend of games in October.

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