6 Trade Packages Minnesota Twins Could Land for Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax

[Matthew Taylor]

Image courtesy of © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

A recent report from ESPN Insider Jeff Passan has sparked discussion throughout Twins Territory. According to Passan, the Minnesota Twins are open to trading both Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, two of the most electric relievers in baseball, as a package deal. The asking price? Two top-100-caliber prospects.

It’s a steep ask, but given the dominance, age, and team control of both relievers, it's entirely justified. This wouldn’t be the first time a contender paid a premium for elite bullpen arms. In 2018, the Padres flipped Brad Hand and Adam Cimber to Cleveland for Francisco Mejía, a top-20 global prospect at the time. That deal saw two relievers with similar team control flipped for one high-end return. Now, the Twins may be looking to repeat history, albeit with even greater upside.

So what might a two-for-two top-100 swap look like? Let’s dig into potential trade packages with some of the reported suitors: the Dodgers, Phillies, Yankees, Mets, Cubs, and (though less likely) the division-rival Tigers.

Note: These prospect rankings are according to MLB Pipeline.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Jackson Ferris, LHP (#65) and Dalton Rushing, C (formerly top-30)
The Dodgers boast one of the deepest farm systems in the league and could be a strong match. A potential package could include left-handed pitcher Jackson Ferris and catcher Dalton Rushing, who recently graduated from prospect status but was a top-30 prospect before that.

Ferris is a towering 6-foot-4 southpaw who’s already making strides in Double A at age 21. He’s turned a corner with a 1.30 ERA over his last five starts, and would add valuable left-handed depth to a Twins system heavy on right-handed arms.

Rushing, meanwhile, fits a clear organizational need. With Ryan Jeffers under team control only through 2026 and little catching depth behind him, the left-handed-hitting Rushing, who posted a .907 OPS in Triple A last season, could quickly become Jeffers’s heir. The Dodgers have a stud catcher on their roster already in Will Smith, and may be willing to move on from Rushing.

Philadelphia Phillies: Mick Abel, RHP (#71) and Eduardo Tait (#59)
The Phillies could offer another combination pitching-catching package centered around Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait. Abel, a former 15th overall pick in the 2020 draft, has been a fixture on prospect lists since 2021. Though he struggled in Triple-A last season with a 6.46 ERA over 108 innings, he’s rebounded in a big way in 2025. In 69 innings at Triple-A this year, Abel owns a sparkling 1.83 ERA, showcasing his ability to adjust and develop. He made his MLB debut earlier this summer with mixed results, but his five-pitch mix and a fastball that touches the upper 90s give him mid-rotation (or a touch higher) upside. The hope is that he sticks as a starter long-term, with the tools to anchor a rotation for years to come.

Eduardo Tait, meanwhile, is one of the youngest names on this list and a longer-term play. A bat-first catcher out of Panama, Tait turns 19 in August and already flashes power from the left side. His defense is coming along, and his size and offensive profile could eventually make him a high-impact player at a position of need for Minnesota.

New York Yankees: George Lombard Jr., MI (#32) and Carlos Lagrange, RHP (#100)
This might be the most exciting mix of tools and upside. George Lombard Jr. (MLB Pipeline #32) is already in Double-A at age 20 and offers contact ability, speed, and defensive versatility in the middle infield. The Yankees love his makeup, but the Twins could pry him loose in a deal of this magnitude.

Carlos Lagrange brings a flamethrowing presence to the mound, reaching up to 102 mph with his fastball while mixing in a sharp sweeper and an improving changeup. His control remains a work in progress, and whether he can remain a starter depends largely on his ability to consistently command the zone. Ideally, he sticks as a high-octane starting pitcher, but if he’s moved to the bullpen down the line, his stuff could make him a Duran clone in a late-inning role. That seems more likely, but would be a nice bit of serendipity: by extending the same trade tree that brought them Duran, they could get a very Duran-like arm.

New York Mets: Jonah Tong, RHP (#55) and Nolan McLean, RHP (#72)
If the Twins prefer pitchers-for-relievers, the Mets could offer two top-end arms: Jonah Tong and Noah McLean.

Tong has been electric at Double-A this season, with a 1.71 ERA and a staggering 14.1 K/9 across 84 innings. He profiles as a mid-rotation starter or better. McLean is more advanced, already pitching in Triple-A with strong fastball/slider metrics and a 3.64 ERA. He could be in the Twins’ rotation as early as the end of 2025.

Chicago Cubs: Moisés Ballesteros, C/1B (#49) and Kevin Alcántara, OF (#82)
Moisés Ballesteros is a bat-first catcher with massive power, but a questionable long-term outlook behind the plate. If he can stick at catcher, he’s a game-changer. If not, he may be confined to first base or DH. Ballesteros has already made his big-league debut with the Cubs.

Kevin Alcántara is a towering 6-foot-6 center fielder with impressive speed and feel for contact. He could be a future Buxton replacement, if everything clicks. (That's a big 'if,' but if it weren't, he wouldn't be available even in a trade like this.)

Detroit Tigers: Bryce Rainer, SS (#37) and Thayron Liranzo, C/1B (#84)
An intradivisional trade is highly unlikely, but for the sake of speculation, Bryce Rainer and Thayron Liranzo could tempt the Twins to deal with their rivals.

Rainer, the 2024 No. 11 overall pick, has already flashed elite tools at Low-A. A likely shortstop with power and an elite arm, he could be a star in the making. Liranzo is a switch-hitter with 60-grade power and big-time exit velocities, though he may end up at first base.

There’s no doubt the Twins’ bullpen has been a major strength. Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax have formed a dominant 1-2 punch late in games, and moving them would signal a shift toward long-term planning. But the opportunity to secure two blue-chip talents, especially at premium positions, doesn’t come often.

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Which package stands out to you? Would you pull the trigger on any of these? Or do you want the Twins to hold firm? Leave a comment and start the conversation!

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[bigdave]

If the Twins trade Duran or Joe Ryan, they are idiots. They are the foundation of the pitching staff, one that could be good in the next few years. Trade off the short-time players, but don't sell off the guys who give us a chance to win in the future.

[Cory Engelhardt]

That Dodgers one would be REALLY fun. 

How about something like Tristan Casas and Payton Tolle from Boston? Just to throw out one more idea.

[Mike Sixel]

No on the Yankees deal. Don't trust that SS to hit at all. 

Abel isn't even in the top 10 list for the Phillies on Fangraphs. No way I do it for him. Though I think he could be a good RP, like Varland or Jax level. So it is possible, as they NEED catcher prospects.

I love the Mets deal. That return would be more than sufficient for me. More than. 

I likely do the Dodgers deal.

I'm unsure on the Cubs deal. If they think the catcher is a catcher, yes, 100%. But I have no idea on that.

They aren't dealing in the division, I'd guess. Also, the SS is having surgery on his shoulder, so no way I take that chance. 

edit: see below, didn't know this was for BOTH pitchers from MN. 

 

[Fire Dan Gladden]

The Dodgers bullpen is in shambles. Make them overpay for one of Duran/Jax.

[farmerguychris]

I've reluctantly resigned myself to accept that we are going to be sellers - and if we can get one of the above packages for either ONE of these 2 relievers - I expect we'll do it.  This FO has made clear they don't value relievers as much other positions and can create them essentially at will out of former/failed starters.

With that said - I'd really prefer if we can get a catcher who is ready to step into a part time role in 2026 and an unproven pitcher ready to try late inning work next year.  Give our proven pen arms for unproven ones who have potential to produce next year.  Let see if people will really overpay.

BUT- DO not trade Ryan.  

[Rhyno006]

LOL ain't no way this FO is going to do anything of interest. They'll get rid of Bader for cash considerations at best. Pffft.

The Mets deal would be decent tho...

[tony&rodney]

This is confusing. It seems like you suggest BOTH Duran and Jax for these guys. Why? None of these work for both, not even remotely close. The Dodgers might trade those two guys for Duran. I would not. These ideas look like deals made up by a Yankees or Mets fan, if we are talking about dealing both. If it is for just one, some people will like a few of these suggestions. I'm actually not doing any one of these trades for either ONE of Duran or Jax. If teams want to win, they have to pay the big bucks.

Gleybar Torres (65, top ranked) for 2 months of Aroldis Chapman. The Cubs have zero regrets. FWIW, there actually isn't a prospect right now the equal of Torres. Torres was a can't miss and he didn't miss.

[Mike Sixel]

Wait, this is for BOTH guys? No way. Zero. One of them? Yes, but not both. This is awful for both, truly.

[NYCTK]

39 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I love the Mets deal. That return would be more than sufficient for me. More than. 

I can promise you that deal would never happen. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

Wait, this is for BOTH guys? No way. Zero. One of them? Yes, but not both. This is awful for both, truly.

I took it to mean one or the other. That's what the Twins have said, 2 top 100 prospects for one of Jax or Duran.

[SF Twins Fan]

I would want De Paula or Quintero from the Dodgers.

Jefferson Rojas from the Cubs would interesting as a 20-year-old recently promoted to AA.

I'd want Justin Crawford from the Phillies.

Any two of the top four from the Mets would work.  Jett Williams and Nolan McLean would be great.

I wouldn't want anything from the Yankees prospect pool as I feel like they tend to be overrated.

Detroit would need to way overpay for that to make sense since it's in the division.  Something like 3 top 100 prospects and I doubt they would do that.

 

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

8 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I took it to mean one or the other. That's what the Twins have said, 2 top 100 prospects for one of Jax or Duran.

Nope, it says both....

[SF Twins Fan]

8 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Nope, it says both....

It says they're open to trading both, but the return would still be two top 100 prospects for each.

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, SF Twins Fan said:

It says they're open to trading both, but the return would still be two top 100 prospects for each.

We'll wait for the OP to come back, but this part seems like I'm right? I could be wrong!

 In 2018, the Padres flipped Brad Hand and Adam Cimber to Cleveland for Francisco Mejía, a top-20 global prospect at the time. That deal saw two relievers with similar team control flipped for one high-end return. Now, the Twins may be looking to repeat history, albeit with even greater upside.

So what might a two-for-two top-100 swap look like? 

[Matthew Taylor]

2 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

We'll wait for the OP to come back, but this part seems like I'm right? I could be wrong!

 In 2018, the Padres flipped Brad Hand and Adam Cimber to Cleveland for Francisco Mejía, a top-20 global prospect at the time. That deal saw two relievers with similar team control flipped for one high-end return. Now, the Twins may be looking to repeat history, albeit with even greater upside.

So what might a two-for-two top-100 swap look like? 

The Twins got 2 top-100 prospects for Jose Berrios. They're not getting 2 top-100 prospects for Duran or Jax. A package deal of them? Yes, they could get two top-100 guys for them.

[Doc Lenz]

Have another one. You’d have to be full up to your ears to trade both for two prospects.

[Mike Sixel]

2 minutes ago, Matthew Taylor said:

The Twins got 2 top-100 prospects for Jose Berrios. They're not getting 2 top-100 prospects for Duran or Jax. A package deal of them? Yes, they could get two top-100 guys for them.

I'm not disagreeing or not.....but I'm not dealing both of them during the year. After the year, when there are more teams buying? Maybe, but still probably not. Thanks for clearing up this was for both! 

[Cory Engelhardt]

21 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Nope, it says both....

I know, but if you look at Passan's original quote, he wrote it as the Twins are looking at 2 top 100 prospects if they are to trade either Jax or Duran. Just because the headline here wrote it differently doesn't change that.

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, Cory Engelhardt said:

I know, but if you look at Passan's original quote, he wrote it as the Twins are looking at 2 top 100 prospects if they are to trade either Jax or Duran. Just because the headline here wrote it differently doesn't change that.

I'm not talking about what the Twins said, I'm talking about this article.......which the OP has made clear is for both of them. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

8 minutes ago, Matthew Taylor said:

The Twins got 2 top-100 prospects for Jose Berrios. They're not getting 2 top-100 prospects for Duran or Jax. A package deal of them? Yes, they could get two top-100 guys for them.

The Marlins got a top 50 prospect and 3 other good players for Tanner Scott last year at the deadline, and Scott was a free agent to be. Teams pay more when there is more ongoing team control. The value ask of two top 100 prospects here (even if it isn't exactly how MLB or fangraphs or baseball reference or Keith Law lists their own individual top 100 at any given point) still would apply here. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

Just now, Mike Sixel said:

I'm not talking about what the Twins said, I'm talking about this article.......which the OP has made clear is for both of them. 

Yup, and this headline then is misguided. It should be changed to Jax OR Duran, not Jax AND Duran. That's lowballing both of their value, even compared to very recent trade deadlines.

[arby58]

I'm reading directly from the ESPN article: "...teams look at what the Twins are asking for to acquire Duran or Jax - at least two top-100-caliber prospects..."

Nowhere does he suggest they would trade them both for just two top-100 prospects. Why would they? If Duran and Jax were prospects, they would be of the 'can't miss' variety - how are they getting better by trading two of their (arguably) best five players for (maybe they miss) prospects?

Yes, two quality prospects for one of them, but nowhere near close enough for both.

[LA Vikes Fan]

43 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Wait, this is for BOTH guys? No way. Zero. One of them? Yes, but not both. This is awful for both, truly.

Absolutely correct. I think Matthew may have misread the MLB Trade Rumors post or I misread his post. The scuttlebutt is that Twins want to Top 100 prospects for one of Duran or Jax. not for both. 

So, I would reevaluate based on the trade of one of the two. In my case, I trade Jax. I do not trade Duran for that kind of return. He is worth substantially more as a proven Closer. The two hardest kinds of pitchers to get are a frontline starter and a proven Closer, that's why they make the most money. Durand is a proven Closer. He stays, but I would be open to trading Jax for the right return and replacing him with Varland. 

Assuming those conditions, I like the Mets package the best. I know that getting two high ceiling pitchers doesn't solve our offensive woes but adding pitching allows us to trade for bats in the off-season and you can't have too many good pitchers. I would consider the Dodgers deal if they add in another solid prospect in the 40-45 FV range, and I would consider someone in A+ ball or even A ball as that extra player. I like the Dodgers pitcher a lot. Rushing, on the other hand, is far from a "can't miss" prospect. I live in LA and have seen him play. The eye test and what I read suggest he is another Brooks Lee type – high floor but ceiling is probably a slightly above average regular, not a star. Hey, there's nothing wrong with that at the catching position with catchers so hard to find, but that's why you have to add the other prospects. 

I'm not interested in the other packages. The Yankees, Cubs, and Phillies players aren't good enough. I wouldn't make the deal with Detroit because then he's in our division.

[rdehring]

If it is both for two top 100 guys, no way.  

As for trading one of the two, I expect one of them won't be a Twin 8 days from now.  And I am ok with that.  Hopefully our FO is smart and gets both a good return (perceived value) and the right return (they both make it and one turns out to be really good).  Let the bidding begin!

As for which one, I would lean towards Duran.  First, he should garner the better return.  Second, he is going to be both harder and likely much more expensive to extend at some time over the next 18 months.  And third, Varland is ready to step into either the 8th inning set-up or closer role.

[Doctor Gast]

I don't trust this FO to pull off a significant trade, especially with LAD. Absolutely not with NYY, Our window is still open, so. Absolutely no lotto tickets, I don't care if they are high. Twins need to trade for young, impactful, MLB-ready players that fit our needs, no redundant players. If LAD agrees with Rushing & Ferris, I'd be very happy. But I doubt they would. That's the only one.

CWS said that they are open to trading one of their outstanding rookie catchers (O Quero or Teel) to diversify their rebuild. There are very few high-caliber young catchers out there. If any team can land either we can secure a trade, Much like what we did when we traded Garver for Falefa & then turn around & trade him to NYY to complete our trade with NYY. My requirements are rigid; if no team can meet them. Then no deal. No trade is better than a bad trade.

 

[Dman]

1 hour ago, Matthew Taylor said:

The Twins got 2 top-100 prospects for Jose Berrios. They're not getting 2 top-100 prospects for Duran or Jax. A package deal of them? Yes, they could get two top-100 guys for them.

But that does seem to be what the Twins are asking for according MLB trade rumor's.

[Wedman13]

1 hour ago, SF Twins Fan said:

It says they're open to trading both, but the return would still be two top 100 prospects for each.

No, the article says a package deal.

[Mike Sixel]

To be clear, I don't expect two top 100 prospects for either of them......but I'd take them. It's an interesting dance.....since Duran and Jax are known quantities, with years of control.....and the prospects are just that....but I can't see them getting two guys. It would be great if they did....

[Cory Engelhardt]

6 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

To be clear, I don't expect two top 100 prospects for either of them......but I'd take them. It's an interesting dance.....since Duran and Jax are known quantities, with years of control.....and the prospects are just that....but I can't see them getting two guys. It would be great if they did....

Well, if a team is desperate at the deadline, they HAVE to pay good prices to supplement their team right? 

If a team wants a good player, they have to pay the price.