At this point, it feels as if both teams involved in the Griffin Jax-Taj Bradley deal lost the trade. It hasn't even been a month since the trade, making it too soon to set that in stone, but Jax, 30, and Bradley, 24, have still not looked good with their new organizations thus far.
Twins fans who are still watching the team this season despite the disaster it has been were given a gut-punch on Sunday when Bradley followed Mick Abel's rough outing against the White Sox with a rough start of his own, surrendering seven earned runs on nine hits and one walk in five innings as Chicago defeated Minnesota 8-0 at Rate Field in Chicago.
It was only Bradley's first Twins outing, but it still would have been nice to see one of the new trade deadline acquisitions start their tenure with Minnesota on the right foot. However, looking at Jax's stats with Tampa Bay might make Twins fans feel better about the rough start from Bradley.
Former Twins high-leverage reliever Griffin Jax having rough start with Tampa Bay Rays
Jax has pitched 7 1/3 innings in nine appearances since being traded to Tampa Bay. In those outings, Jax has allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits (three home runs) and two walks with ten strikeouts.
CAL RALEIGH FOR THE LEAD IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 8TH!
— MLB (@MLB) August 9, 2025
HOME RUN NO. 43! pic.twitter.com/SIEBYg4NQS
Griffin Jax has an 8.59 ERA with the #Rays since the trade
— SleeperTwins (@SleeperMLBTwins) August 23, 2025
To be fair Taj Bradley hasn’t looked amazing either though#MNTwins
pic.twitter.com/XChqV9IU0k
Again, it hasn't even been a month since the trade between the Twins and Rays, and Jax, who had a 4.50 ERA (2.03 FIP) with 72 strikeouts in 46 innings for Minnesota this season, has still been stacking strikeouts with Tampa Bay. While he may need to make some adjustments, Jax will likely get back on track soon.
Jax, who reportedly requested to be traded once he found out the direction the Twins were headed at this year's trade deadline, is likely the unluckiest former Twins player part of the trade deadline fire sale, as he was the only one who was moved to a team that likely will miss out on the postseason. As it stands, the Tampa Bay Rays hold a 63-67 win-loss record, sitting 12 1/2 games back of first place in the American League East and 6 1/2 games back of the final American League Wild Card spot. Not to mention, the Rays literally play at a minor league ballpark.