Minnesota Twins Looking For Multiple Top-100 Prospects In Return For Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax

[Matthew Lenz]

Yesterday, Jon Heyman reported that the Minnesota Twins are seriously listening to offers regarding some of their rental players. However, those players are far from the best assets on the club.

In his latest, Jeff Pasan of ESPN identifies Jhoan Duran as the teams most valuable asset, assuming that Joe Ryan is largely unavailable unless the Twins are completely swept off their feet by an offer. In the same breath as Duran, Passan identify jacks as another high-end asset who would require multiple top 100 prospects in return for either of the reliever services.

While it may be all but official that the twins will be sellers at the deadline, they still have decisions to make on what the future of this team looks like. Do they think the core of this team can be a playoff contender and just needs to be retooled for 2026? Or, are they thinking a larger rebuild may be necessary? While we won't get in an explicit answer to those questions, how they navigate this trade deadline will provide a pretty clear direction for the club.
 

If they retain all of the names mentioned above, that's a signal that they believe in the core of this roster to compete in 2026 and beyond. If they move any of the pieces above, especially Ryan, then they are essentially waving the white flag for 2026 and maybe even 2027 as they await the next wave of prospects.

How do you think the Minnesota Twins should approach this deadline? Join the conversation in the comments!

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[Cory Engelhardt]

Good. All that team control has high value.

[Chris Hove]

I like the Twins using their leverage, but I don't see them swiping a top 100 prospect for a reliever. The team control could be a determining factor here. Stay tuned.......

[Cory Engelhardt]

9 minutes ago, Chris Hove said:

I like the Twins using their leverage, but I don't see them swiping a top 100 prospect for a reliever. The team control could be a determining factor here. Stay tuned.......

HIGH end relievers with multiple years of control usually get at least 1 top 100 prospect. 

[Vanimal46]

Nothing wrong with setting a high standard on the trade return. We will see how desperate contending teams get in the next week. If no one meets the asking price, oh well. We get to keep an elite reliever on the team. 

[Chris Hove]

9 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

HIGH end relievers with multiple years of control usually get at least 1 top 100 prospect. 

I hope so, but who knows? I would want Ferris or Rushing if that's the case. It just seems like the Twins always get screwed in trades or never really get maximum value. 

[Chris Hove]

7 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Nothing wrong with setting a high standard on the trade return. We will see how desperate contending teams get in the next week. If no one meets the asking price, oh well. We get to keep an elite reliever on the team. 

Especially in this situation, usually the Twins are on the other end. Hope they use their leverage wisely.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

42 minutes ago, Chris Hove said:

 It just seems like the Twins always get screwed in trades or never really get maximum value. 

When we are on the selling side we have done really well.  For the most part trades have been very much in the Twins favor.  

Arraez for Pablo  (This is a massive win for the Twins).  

Polanco for Gonzalez, Topa and Bowen (ignore Desclafani - negative asset)  (Win for the Twins possibly becoming a really big win)  

Gray for Petty  (Obvious advantage for the Twins and add in continuing value with Debarge)

Ryan for Nelson Cruz.   (Again massive win for the Twins).  

The only ones that went sideways were when we were buyers in 2022.  Even those for the most part haven't really hurt.  

If we are holding the leverage I really like the prospects of getting our value.  I am not for a total rebuild but there is part of me that thinks if they were to trade Duran, Jax, Ryan, Coloumbe, Castro and Bader (to overpays) - you could quickly rebuild your team either from the trades or additional trades from the offseason and be net ahead in prospect capital.  I really do hate tanking,  but getting higher draft capital would be a benefit as well.   Rebuilding the bullpen would be the primary issue, but I do like Varland and think he could become our long term closer.  

 

 

 

[Cory Engelhardt]

59 minutes ago, Chris Hove said:

I hope so, but who knows? I would want Ferris or Rushing if that's the case. It just seems like the Twins always get screwed in trades or never really get maximum value. 

Just for comparison's sake, look what the Padres gave up for Tanner Scott at last year's deadline. The Padres sent Miami 4 prospects (all in the Padres top 5 at the time) including #44 overall Robby Snelling. And Scott was a free agent at the end of last year. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Just for giggles - what would you think of this.  

Jax traded to Red Sox for Duran (OF) and Toole (SP) .    3 1/2 years control for Duran (replaces Bader) and a top end SP  6' 6" that matches what the Twins like.   

Ryan to Dodgers for Rushing (C) and Ferris (P) and Freeland (3B)

Duran to Phillies for Painter (RP) and Crawford (OF).  

Bader  to Yankees for Spencer Jones (OF)   

 

Would put Painter in the bullpen.   Rushing becomes our backup catcher and long term catcher.  and Duran replaces Bader.  You add 2 solid pitching prospects in Toole and and Ferris and Freeland (3B) and Crawford to the prospect lists.   

 

 

[Chris Hove]

Just now, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Just for giggles - what would you think of this.  

Jax traded to Red Sox for Duran (OF) and Toole (SP) .    3 1/2 years control for Duran (replaces Bader) and a top end SP  6' 6" that matches what the Twins like.   

Ryan to Dodgers for Rushing (C) and Ferris (P) and Freeland (3B)

Duran to Phillies for Painter (RP) and Crawford (OF).  

Bader  to Yankees for Spencer Jones (OF)   

 

Would put Painter in the bullpen.   Rushing becomes our backup catcher and long term catcher.  and Duran replaces Bader.  You add 2 solid pitching prospects in Toole and and Ferris and Freeland (3B) and Crawford to the prospect lists.   

 

 

I like it, although it is doubtful, but I love the fits for each team involved.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

3 minutes ago, Chris Hove said:

I like it, although it is doubtful, but I love the fits for each team involved.

Yes the odds we can trade that much talent is doubtful,  but if they start the teardown,  they might as well go through with it,  if they can get ample trade value back or overpays.  

[Chris Hove]

Just now, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Yes the odds we can trade that much talent is doubtful,  but if they start the teardown,  they might as well go through with it,  if they can get ample trade value back or overpays.  

I just read a post from a credible source about the Twins offering Keaschall in trades. This has me very intrigued now.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

2 minutes ago, Chris Hove said:

I just read a post from a credible source about the Twins offering Keaschall in trades. This has me very intrigued now.

Keaschall has value,  done well all the way up and plays a position we are really deep  in for the foreseeable future.   Buy and Sell could get interesting.   Who is posting this?  

[TNtwins85]

2 hours ago, Chris Hove said:

I like the Twins using their leverage, but I don't see them swiping a top 100 prospect for a reliever. The team control could be a determining factor here. Stay tuned.......

It is the determining factor. That’s why they want multiple top 100’s for premium relievers when there’s only so many. It’s either that or the Twins keep them. Simple. If you want them then other teams gotta pay up.

[TNtwins85]

2 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Keaschall has value,  done well all the way up and plays a position we are really deep  in for the foreseeable future.   Buy and Sell could get interesting.   Who is posting this?  

Selling him high! He still has steam and might get them a controllable bat.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

1 minute ago, TNtwins85 said:

Selling him high! He still has steam and might get them a controllable bat.

Controllable bat,  or an additional arm.   I think the trades would key on getting another RP for the bullpen,  and additional high end SP prospect and a Catcher.  Rushing seems to be the highest candidate.  That seems like the minimum for effectively a rebuild of some sort.   

[Chris Hove]

3 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Keaschall has value,  done well all the way up and plays a position we are really deep  in for the foreseeable future.   Buy and Sell could get interesting.   Who is posting this?  

Dan Hayes from the Athletic was on the Foul Territory podcast. The White Sox wanted to discuss trades involving Jenkins, Rodriguez, and Brooks Lee, but the Twins quickly shot that down. Then Keaschall was mentioned, but neither team wanted to trade within the division.

[Chris Hove]

1 minute ago, Chris Hove said:

Dan Hayes from the Athletic was on the Foul Territory podcast. The White Sox wanted to discuss trades involving Jenkins, Rodriguez, and Brooks Lee, but the Twins quickly shot that down. Then Keaschall was mentioned, but neither team wanted to trade within the division.

Hayes now corrected what he said in a tweet, saying Keaschall wasn't involved. So credible or not, he's likely not being mentioned, but the first part was correct.

[TNtwins85]

1 minute ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Controllable bat,  or an additional arm.   I think the trades would key on getting another RP for the bullpen,  and additional high end SP prospect and a Catcher.  Rushing seems to be the highest candidate.  That seems like the minimum for effectively a rebuild of some sort.   

No on Rushing. If Keaschall is getting floated around as well as the rentals and Jax/Duran this may be a shakeup/retool for 2026 rather than a rebuild. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Lewis and Jeffers’ names getting floated as well.

[Twodogs]

2 hours ago, Chris Hove said:

I like the Twins using their leverage, but I don't see them swiping a top 100 prospect for a reliever. The team control could be a determining factor here. Stay tuned.......

After watching Tanner Scott, I think the Twins could get the Dodgers to overpay for Duran.  Especially if they shop Duran to the Padres too.  I think the Phillies would give something decent for Jax.  

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

1 minute ago, TNtwins85 said:

No on Rushing. If Keaschall is getting floated around as well as the rentals and Jax/Duran this may be a shakeup/retool for 2026 rather than a rebuild. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Lewis and Jeffers’ names getting floated as well.

We need a legit C prospect.   Who are you going to play C  in 2026/2027 especially if you trade Jeffers?  

[Chris Hove]

Just now, Twodogs said:

After watching Tanner Scott, I think the Twins could get the Dodgers to overpay for Duran.  Especially if they shop Duran to the Padres too.  I think the Phillies would give something decent for Jax.  

Who would you want from the Phillies?

[Chris Hove]

1 minute ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

We need a legit C prospect.   Who are you going to play C  in 2027/2028 especially if you trade Jeffers?  

Jeffers is being mentioned in trades, but not much steam on him yet. Twins might make a trade for a catcher before getting rid of Jeffers in another trade?

[TNtwins85]

2 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

We need a legit C prospect.   Who are you going to play C  in 2026/2027 especially if you trade Jeffers?  

Rushing isn’t a legit catching prospect. Quero from Milwaukee and Ford from Seattle are legit to stay at catcher and close to MLB. Rushing is a LF in my mind.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

6 minutes ago, Chris Hove said:

Hayes now corrected what he said in a tweet, saying Keaschall wasn't involved. So credible or not, he's likely not being mentioned, but the first part was correct.

What a moron.  

[TNtwins85]

4 minutes ago, Chris Hove said:

Who would you want from the Phillies?

Miller/ Crawford or Abel just to start the conversation.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Just now, TNtwins85 said:

Miller/ Crawford or Abel just to start the conversation.

Painter has to be the primary target.  Then start talking about the others.  

[Chris Hove]

Just now, TNtwins85 said:

Miller/ Crawford or Abel just to start the conversation.

Agreed, probably can't get Painter, and Tait isn't MLB ready

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

So just to clarify -  Hays said White Sox wanted to trade for Jenkins, Rodriguez, and/or Brooks Lee but then said neither the White Sox or Twins wanted to trade intra -division.  So did the conversation happen or did they just mention our top prospects young players and throw it out?