The Minnesota Twins' losing ways in June seem to have all but shifted how they are being viewed ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline. Entering the month following an 18-8 record in May, it seemed clear that the Twins would be buyers ahead of the deadline. Now, one week remaining before July, it seems clear that there will be trade chips moved off the Twins roster before August.
The shift to the Twins being viewed as sellers was felt in the latest from ESPN's Jeff Passan. In his latest primer for the deadline, along with colleague Kylie McDaniel, Twins' closer Jhoan Duran is listed as one of the players who could be moved at the deadline. The insiders place a 40 percent chance on Duran being moved ahead of the deadline, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies listed among the teams as the "best fit" for Duran.
There is no question that Duran would be the biggest trade chip the Twins have to offer ahead of the deadline. Under team control until 2028, if the Twins make Duran available, he would instantly become one of the top closers available.
Twins trading Jhoan Duran would send shockwaves through the season
Duran was one of the anchors behind the Twins' success in May, landing the award for being the American League's top reliever. In 36 appearances this season, Duran has a 1.57 ERA with 10 saves. For any team looking for stability at the backend of their bullpen, they almost certainly will give the Twins a call.
Given their free fall this month, the Twins are in desperate need of a change. That change won't be with Rocco Baldelli, as the manager has already had his 2026 option exercised. Still, following a collapse at the end of 2024, the current version of the Twins' product is broken. If Baldelli, then changes are needed to the roster.
Moving Duran would certainly be an extreme push in the direction of selling for the Twins, but it would jump-start the reconstruction of their roster. If nothing else, that will be the reason why the front office, at the very least, will listen when teams come calling with interest in Duran.