The Athletic’s Jim Bowden published an article on Friday titled “Five MLB deadline trades I’d like to see, starting with a stunning three-team deal.” In the article, Bowden proposed a Twins-Dodgers trade that would leave fans shocked if it were to come to fruition.
Former GM Jim Bowden proposes questionable Twins-Dodgers blockbuster centered around Minnesota’s two best bullpen arms
Bowden’s proposal:
Dodgers receive RHP Jhoan Durán, RHP Griffin Jax, UTIL Willi Castro
Twins receive OF Josue De Paula, LHP Jackson Ferris, RHP Bobby Miller, OF Jaron Elkins
The current asking price on Durán, who has a 1.94 ERA and 15 saves in 46 appearances, and Jax, who has a 4.09 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 44 innings, is multiple top 100-caliber prospects per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Both De Paula and Ferris rank among the league’s top 100 prospects per MLB Pipeline, but considering Passan’s report, Minnesota would demand at least two more top 100-caliber prospects to make this deal happen, especially since Castro, who has a .774 OPS (112 OPS+) with ten home runs and 27 RBIs in 319 plate appearances, is a valuable commodity in the trade market as well.
De Paula, who ranks as MLB’s No. 22 prospect, has hit .262/.409/.416 with ten home runs and 28 steals this year in High-A. De Paula, 20, needs to improve defensively but is known for his elite plate discipline and power.
The Dodgers acquired Ferris, who ranks as MLB’s No. 97 prospect, from the Chicago Cubs in the Michael Busch trade. Ferris has a 4.54 ERA with 95 strikeouts with Double-A Tulsa this season. Ferris’ fastball can reach 97 mph, and he has a mid-80s slider that he can throw for strikes. He also has an upper-70s downer curveball and a solid mid-80s changeup.
Miller is a pitcher with major league experience who likely needs a change of scenery to get his career back on track. He had a solid rookie campaign in 2023, posting a 3.76 ERA in 124 ⅓ innings, but has regressed since then. Currently in Triple-A, Miller has pitched just five major league innings this year after posting an 8.52 ERA in 13 outings with the Dodgers last season.
The last player in Bowden’s proposed deal, Elkins, has a .787 OPS in 383 plate appearances with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga.
The Twins would undoubtedly love to have De Paula, Ferris, Miller and Elkins in their organization, but surrendering Durán, Jax and Castro to make that happen would be too steep a price. To make Bowden's proposed trade happen, the Dodgers would either need to throw in two more highly regarded prospects or accept just one of Durán or Jax in the deal.