“The Philadelphia Phillies have been extensively scouting Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins, hoping to acquire at least one of them,” he wrote.

The Athletic’s Matt Gelb had a similar report on Friday, linking Philadelphia to Minnesota’s bullpen. Nightengale also highlighted the “strong interest” from the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds.

A potential trade between Philadelphia and Minnesota could make a lot of sense for both parties. The Phillies’ bullpen ranks 23rd in ERA, and it could behoove the Twins to move one of their relievers as potential sellers at the deadline.

The Phillies have six players, ranked in MLB.com’s latest top 100 list. Pitcher Andrew Painter is likely untouchable, but 21-year-old shortstop Aidan Miller (No. 22), 21-year-old outfielder Justin Crawford (No. 49), 18-year-old catcher Eduardo Tait (No. 63), 23-year-old pitcher Mick Abel (No. 87), and 20-year-old second baseman Aroon Escobar (No. 97) could all be interesting targets for Minnesota.

With so much uncertainty surrounding the ownership situation, Duran and Jax are realistically two big-name players Minnesota could move at the deadline and land a solid return. As a .500 ball club heading into the All-Star break, the Twins have been up-and-down all season, so making a move at the deadline could be their next step.

Cubs Strongly Interested in Twins Relievers Jhaon Duran and Griffin Jax originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Chicago Cubs’ bullpen to begin the year was a major concern. The bullpen was continually blowing games, and couldn’t find its rhythm. But it got significantly better as the year passed, and it’s no longer a pressing issue.

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However, that doesn’t mean the Cubs won’t inquire with other teams about their star relievers. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cubs are among a few top contenders interested in the Minnesota Twins relievers who could be on the move.

“The Philadelphia Phillies have been extensively scouting Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax…” Nightengale writes, “The Twins are also drawing strong interest from the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cincinnati Reds.

Both Duran and Jax have been drawing interest around the league, with the Philadelphia Phillies the team they’re both connected to the most. But now, the Cubs and a few other teams are interested in the Twins’ relievers.

Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer smiles before a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY SportsKamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

This season, Duran has been a bit better than Jax. He has a 1.49 ERA, 47 strikeouts, 16 walks, a 1.087 WHIP, and no home runs allowed in 42.1 innings this season.

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Jax, meanwhile, has a 4.02 ERA with 65 strikeouts, ten walks, a 1.240 WHIP, and four home runs allowed in 40.1 innings pitched in 2025.

In 2024, Jax was the better reliever, as he had a 2.03 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 71 innings pitched, while Duran had a 3.64 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 54.1 innings pitched.

Regardless of which is better, they’re both strong righty relievers under team control through the 2027 season. Even with the seventh-best bullpen in baseball, the Cubs could still look to add one of the Twins’ relievers.

A strong bullpen can be a massive asset in the postseason, and in adding one of Duran or Jax, the Cubs could potentially contend for having the best bullpen in the sport.

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It’s been an excellent season for the Cubs so far, and with the team expected to be aggressive at the trade deadline, the Cubs could look to land one of the Twins’ relievers to bolster their good bullpen into one of the best in the league.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.

Ahead of the MLB trade deadline, the Detroit Tigers have a few areas they are planning to address. A third baseman is of interest, as is a starting pitcher. But, one of the more pressing needs for Detroit is in the bullpen.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Tigers are one of many teams that are interested in Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax. While it’d be a rare in-division deal, the Tigers could pull such a move off if they want either of the two.

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“The Philadelphia Phillies have been extensively scouting Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax…” Nightengale writes, “The Twins are also drawing strong interest from the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cincinnati Reds.”

Duran and Jax are the Twins’ top relievers, and with both potentially available, either would be a nice pickup for the Tigers’ bullpen. Both are under team control through 2027, and both are righties.

While the Tigers could use a lefty to pair with right-handers Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle, it wouldn’t exclude the Tigers from landing a strong righty reliever. If the righty ended up as either Duran or Jax, it’d be a nice move.

MORE: Tigers linked to former Yankees $90 million infielder as depth piece

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This season, Duran has a 1.49 ERA, 47 strikeouts and 16 walks, with no home runs allowed, across 42.1 innings pitched. Jax, meanwhile, has a 4.02 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 10 walks across 40.1 innings pitched.

While Duran has been better this season, in 2024, Jax was better. He had a 2.03 ERA and 95 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 71 innings pitched. Duran has a 3.64 ERA, 66 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 54.1 innings pitched.

Both Twins relievers had a strong and decent season over the last two years. Either the 27-year-old Duran or the 30-year-old Jax would be nice acquisitions if the Tigers can pull it off.

This report from Nightengale suggests the Tigers are strongly interested in Twins’ relievers John Duran and Griffin Jax. While an in-division deal might be hard to pull off, the Tigers are still keeping the door open to landing one of the Twins’ relievers at the deadline.

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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.

The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the best teams in baseball, but they still need to hunt for some major upgrades ahead of the trade deadline.

The biggest hole on the Phillies’ roster is in the bullpen following Jose Alvarado’s crushing suspension. Alvarado was dealt an 80-game suspension that’ll also see him ineligible for the postseason following a failed drug test for PEDs.

Luckily for Philadelphia, the trade block is set to have quite a few talented relievers available this year.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today recently reported the Phillies were hoping to acquire at least one of Griffin Jax or Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins.

ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 27: Jhoan Duran #59, Justin Topa #48 and Griffin Jax #22 of the Minnesota Twins look on prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 27, 2025… ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 27: Jhoan Duran #59, Justin Topa #48 and Griffin Jax #22 of the Minnesota Twins look on prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 27, 2025 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. More Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

“The Philadelphia Phillies have been extensively scouting Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins, hoping to acquire at least one of them,” Nightengale wrote. “The Twins also are drawing strong interest from the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cincinnati Reds.”

It would make sense for the struggling Twins to trade both of these relievers this year.

For the Phillies, it would come down to how much prospect capital they’re willing to part with to land the reliever they want.

If Philadelphia is willing to trade a huge haul, it could secure Duran. Duran is one of the more talented relievers in baseball and has team control on his contract through the 2027 season.

Jax is nearly as talented, but his trade value should be much less than Duran’s. The Phillies could try to swing a monster trade to acquire both pitchers from the Twins if they’re willing to put together a blockbuster prospect return.

More MLB: Astros Listed As Landing Spot In Potential Trade For $45 Million Ace

The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the top teams in Major League Baseball so far this season and have a real chance to make a push at the World Series. With just one game left to go until the All-Star break, the Phillies are just a half-game back of the New York Mets in a back-and-forth NL East battle.

As a result, it will be an arms race for the Phillies, Mets and the rest of the contenders around the league at the trade deadline as they all look to gear up for the back half of the season and the playoffs.

The Phillies have one of the best starting rotations in baseball, but they could use some more help in the bullpen. As the deadline approached, they have been linked to a pair of Minnesota Twins relievers in Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, but they are not alone according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

“The Philadelphia Phillies have been extensively scouting Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins, hoping to acquire at least one of them,” Nightengale wrote. “The Twins also are drawing strong interest from the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds.”

Duran is having a stellar season, posting just a 1.49 ERA in 43 appearances. He has struck out 47 batters and given up just 16 walks in 42.1 innings, so he would be a crucial add to the Philadelphia bullpen.

Jax has not been as successful, with a 4.02 ERA in 43 outings with Minnesota, but he would still be a productive arm capable of eating innings in the middle of the Phillies’ bullpen if they were to acquire him.

The Twins are in second place in the AL Central heading into the break, but they are still 11.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers who are pacing the pack. At 47-48, Minnesota is also three games out of the wild card in the American League, so it has some tough decisions to make at the deadline. Does it want to keep its key pieces and make a push for the playoffs, or get younger and look to the future?

If it’s the latter, the Phillies would be wise to get on the phone and get one of these relievers in the building.