Jhoan Duran might not make it to deadline if Twins pull trigger

Jhoan Duran trade talk heats up and Twins might not wait
Washington Nationals v Minnesota Twins
Washington Nationals v Minnesota Twins | Matt Krohn/GettyImages

Jhoan Duran was quite the jokester on Tuesday night, as the Minnesota Twins' closer gave the impression that he had been traded. Duran was spotted hugging his teammates in the Twins' bullpen, with many racing to Jeff Passan's social media accounts to see where the high-leverage relief pitcher was headed. While Duran was having fun on Tuesday night, at the expense of everyone who obsesses over the deadline, he may be moved by Wednesday night.

Multiple baseball insiders have suggested that the Twins may not wait until Thursday to trade Duran. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com was first to suggest that Duran could be dealt today, and Bob Nightengale of USA Today added even more context.

Twins reportedly considering Duran deal before deadline even arrives

Short of trading All-Star starting pitcher Joe Ryan, Duran is one of the biggest trade chips the Twins are holding onto as the deadline approaches. The other trade chip is Griffin Jax, who has also been coveted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both Duran and Jax are under control through the 2027 season, and with the recent news involving Emmanuel Clase, they are two of the best relief pitchers on the trade market.

Given the amount of pitching injuries the Dodgers have navigated through this season, they are a logical suitor for Duran. While the Twins may have their eyes on Philadelphia Phillies' pitching prospect Andrew Painter, it feels unlikely that the Phillies would be willing to go to that extent to add Duran.

Nearly every contender has circled the Twins with interest in Duran and Jax, so it wouldn't be a complete surprise to see each pitcher moved before the deadline on Thursday night. With Thursday likely having a focus on rental players on the move, it would make sense that the Twins would want to wrap up a trade of Duran as soon as possible.

A Duran trade would likely be the first of many for the Twins ahead of Thursday's deadline. Rental players like Willi Castro and Harrison Bader likely have new teams as well by Friday morning.

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