Twins Video
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.
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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