If Twins Trade One of Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, Which Should it Be?

[USAFChief]

I don't agree with trading "one."

Both or neither. 

Trying to contend in 2026? Work to be done, but you need both of these guys 

Not trying to contend in 2026? Sell both now, at probably max value ever.

I lean towards sell both. But I'm conflicted. 

[The Great Hambino]

1 minute ago, USAFChief said:

I don't agree with trading "one."

Both or neither. 

Trying to contend in 2026? Work to be done, but you need both of these guys 

Not trying to contend in 2026? Sell both now, at probably max value ever.

I lean towards sell both. But I'm conflicted. 

What if you get a killer offer for one but not the other?

I get that doing both or neither is more definitive in choosing your path forward for 2026, but trading one could potentially open up more paths heading into this offseason, especially if the return includes someone that could be useful next year.  They can absorb the loss of one premium reliever if it shores up a different hole in the 2026 roster.  All things equal, they have a better chance finding in offseason free agency a diamond in the rough reliever than a diamond in the rough top/middle of the order young RH outfielder, for instance.

So I wouldn't fault them for taking that killer offer without unloading the other for a suboptimal one (or worse, passing on the killer offer cuz they can't find the right value for the other) just so they can adhere to a strict both-or-neither approach.

[USAFChief]

2 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

What if you get a killer offer for one but not the other?

I get that doing both or neither is more definitive in choosing your path forward for 2026, but trading one could potentially open up more paths heading into this offseason, especially if the return includes someone that could be useful next year.  They can absorb the loss of one premium reliever if it shores up a different hole in the 2026 roster.  All things equal, they have a better chance finding in offseason free agency a diamond in the rough reliever than a diamond in the rough top/middle of the order young RH outfielder, for instance.

So I wouldn't fault them for taking that killer offer without unloading the other for a suboptimal one (or worse, passing on the killer offer cuz they can't find the right value for the other) just so they can adhere to a strict both-or-neither approach.

Fair take.

 

[KnoblauchWasFramed]

Trade them both.  Seriously, they are both “failed” starters who found that they could be successful one inning at a time three times a week.  Literally every year Falvey drafts 3-4 new starting pitchers who will also all eventually “fail” as starters and can also just as easily transition to the bullpen and be dominant three times a week just like Duran and Jax did.

If we can get several top prospects for these guys then you have to do it.  To keep them on the team after this specific point in time when their trade values could never be higher would be criminal.  The Twins aren’t going to be competitive next year or probably the year after that.  Even if the team was sold this offseason it would still take a completely new regime 2-3 years to get the guys they want and take the team in the direction they want to go.  So why keep any asset right now?  Build for 2028.

[USAFChief]

One thing for sure now after the Duran trade: there's no reason to hang onto Jax.

Other than maybe not trusting Falvey.

[nicksaviking]

Griffin Jax, hands down. I have a feeling he’s going to epically implode.

[ashbury]

2 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Griffin Jax, hands down. I have a feeling he’s going to epically implode.

Any other predictions you'd like to share, oh great Swami?  I need to decide about whether to buy Apple stock around 2004, for example.

[nicksaviking]

4 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Any other predictions you'd like to share, oh great Swami?  I need to decide about whether to buy Apple stock around 2004, for example.

Yes. This site is woefully unprepared for chaotic events. If Joe Benson were ever to be DFA’d the backlash would currently be unmanageable.