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As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Philadelphia Phillies look like one of the league’s most aggressive buyers. With one of MLB’s best records and control of the NL East, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has made it clear that his focus is on bolstering one area: the bullpen.
“Our starting pitching’s so good,” Dombrowski told Daniel Alvarez Montes of El Extrabase. “When [Bryce] Harper comes back, our lineup is in pretty good shape at that time. It’s probably bullpen [that] is our biggest focus.”
The Phillies have reason to feel confident in most areas of their roster. Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suárez are Cy Young contenders, the lineup is deep, and even with José Alvarado suspended for PEDs, the team has several effective bullpen arms. Still, the bullpen has been a relative weak spot. Philadelphia’s relievers own a 4.63 ERA (25th in MLB), a home run rate near the bottom of the league, and only middle-of-the-pack strikeout and walk numbers.
Dombrowski, never shy about being aggressive, even acknowledged that sometimes a team has to overpay to seize a win-now moment. In an interview with The Athletic, he referenced his 2022 deal that sent top-10 prospect Ben Brown to the Cubs in exchange for rental reliever David Robertson. The gamble paid off in the short term, with Robertson contributing down the stretch and Brown eventually reaching the majors for Chicago.
Could history repeat itself in 2025? If so, the Minnesota Twins may have what Dombrowski is looking for.
Twins Relievers Drawing Attention
Minnesota’s bullpen has seen inconsistent performance during the 2025 campaign, but multiple arms could be dealt if the team decides to be sellers. Several names could interest the Phillies:
RHP Jhoan Duran – With his triple-digit fastball and wicked offspeed arsenal, Duran has the ceiling of a high-leverage weapon in October. He’s under team control through 2027 and has postseason experience. His elite stuff makes him a high-value asset, but he is also someone the Twins could consider dealing with only if the return is substantial. Some national outlets have already named Duran as a likely trade target
RHP Griffin Jax – Jax has emerged as one of the AL’s best setup men of the last two seasons. His 2025 numbers haven’t matched his dominant 2024 season, but some bad luck has been involved. However, his sweeper/changeup combination has helped him keep hitters off-balance in key moments. Under team control through 2027, Jax would fit well as a versatile piece in the Phillies' bullpen puzzle.
LHP Danny Coulombe – The veteran lefty has quietly been one of the more effective relievers in the league over the past two seasons. His ability to handle both left- and right-handed hitters gives him value in high-leverage spots. He might be one of the best left-handed relievers traded before the deadline. He’d give Philadelphia another left-handed option alongside West Fargo native Matt Strahm, particularly since Alvarado won’t be available for the postseason because of his PED suspension.
The Twins, hovering around the Wild Card race, aren’t likely to sell off their bullpen without a strong reason. But if a team like Philadelphia is willing to part with premium prospect capital, Minnesota could be open to reshuffling its roster with an eye on both the present and future.
What Could Come Back?
Dombrowski has hinted that he’s willing to dip into the farm system to fill the bullpen void. While the Phillies don’t boast a top-tier system overall, they have several intriguing prospects who could match what the Twins are looking for. Here are a few players from MLB Pipeline’s Phillies Top 30 list who could interest Minnesota:
Aidan Miller (3B/SS, No. 2) – One of the most advanced high-school hitters in his draft class, Miller has an impressive approach and power potential. With Royce Lewis still working to stay healthy, adding another high-upside bat who can handle the left side of the infield could be appealing.
Justin Crawford (OF, No. 3) – The son of former big leaguer Carl Crawford, Justin is a premium athlete with game-changing speed and defensive potential in center field. He’s still developing at the plate but offers long-term upside. The Twins have some strong outfield prospects, and Crawford would add an exciting name to the mix.
Eduardo Tait (C, No. 4) – One of the fastest-rising catching prospects in baseball. The Panamanian backstop has a smooth right-handed swing, with developing power and an advanced feel for contact. Defensively, he already earns praise for his receiving and leadership. Tait is years away from the big leagues, but his ceiling makes him an especially intriguing long-term piece.
Mick Abel (RHP, No. 5) – Once a top-15 overall draft pick, Abel has flashed electric stuff since entering pro ball but remains a bit of a project. The 6-foot-5 right-hander features a mid-90s fastball, a sharp slider, and a developing changeup. While he’s battled inconsistency and command issues, the raw tools still give him mid-rotation upside. He could thrive with a change of scenery and a fresh developmental approach.
Moisés Chace (RHP, No. 6) – Chace is another high-upside arm in the Phillies' system with the type of power stuff that could eventually play at the big-league level. He’s shown an ability to miss bats at every level, thanks to a fastball that touches 97 and a sharp, sweeping slider. Durability and command have been question marks, but his strikeout rates speak to the raw talent.
Will a Deal Get Done?
The Twins have been relatively quiet at recent deadlines, but they might be in a position where subtracting from the bullpen keeps their winning window open by replenishing prospect depth. The Phillies, meanwhile, are under pressure to capitalize on a championship-caliber roster.
If the right pieces align, Minnesota could leverage their bullpen depth into a significant return. Dombrowski has shown time and again that he’s willing to meet a steep price when he believes the window to win is wide open. This trade deadline could bring a surprise or a monster deal that helps push Philadelphia closer to its October goals.
Will the Twins trade a core reliever before the deadline? What pieces from the Phillies system should the front office target in a deal? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
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- Mia Bednar and DannySD
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