Phillies Scouting Twins’ Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax as Trade Deadline Targets originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Philadelphia Phillies are less than a month away from a critical MLB trade deadline. With a dire need in the bullpen, the Phillies are expected to be involved in the reliever market.
Advertisement
According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies are scouting the Minnesota Twins, and specifically, relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, as potential trade deadline additions.
“The Phillies have specific interest in the American League Central,” Gelb writes, “They began scouting the Minnesota Twins more heavily this week in anticipation of them being sellers, league sources said.”
The Twins are only three games back in the AL Wild Card race, so the Phillies would need the Twins to go on a losing streak in July to have a chance to pry one of their top targets from the Twins.
“Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran will be prized targets if Minnesota makes them available.” Gelb wrote. “They’re expected to listen.”
Advertisement
Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (59) walks off the field against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
While the Twins are still within striking distance of the AL Wild Card race, their listening to offers for their two relievers is a good sign that the Phillies could swing a deal for either pitcher.
Both Twins relievers are righties, and one is having a much better season than the other. Duran, through 41.1 innings this season, has a 1.52 ERA and 14 saves to go with 45 strikeouts and 16 walks.
Jax, meanwhile, has a 4.12 ERA in 39.1 innings pitched with 64 strikeouts to 10 walks. While he’s struggled this season, his 2024 was very strong. Jax went 71 innings with 95 strikeouts, 15 walks, and a 2.03 ERA in 2024.
Advertisement
Part of why both righty Twins relievers would be of interest for the Phillies is that both are under team control through 2027, which is the Phillies’ window of contention.
Zack Wheeler is expected to retire after 2027, which would drastically set the rotation back. So, with a window to compete and a clear need, the Phillies are looking at the Twins’ righties to bolster their disappointing bullpen.
Related: ESPN’s Jeff Passan Links Guardians Reliever to Phillies Amid Jordan Romano Struggles
Related: Former MLB Exec Believes Phillies Would Turn Down Potential Pirates’ Trade Offer
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.