The MLB trade deadline is fast approaching, and few names carry as much intrigue and raw firepower as Twins closer Jhoan Duran. With the Blue Jays hovering at the top of the AL East and looking to make a serious push in October, the fit between buyer and seller is starting to crystallize. Toronto doesn’t need just any reliever. They need someone capable of shifting the late-inning dynamic in a postseason series. They already paid handsomely for Jeff Hoffman to be the fireman this winter, but we live in the era of the super-bullpen—and if it’s ‘super’ a team is chasing, Duran fits that description better than almost anyone else on the market.

The Jays’ Track Record of Aggression
Toronto has made a habit of being one of the league’s most active teams at the deadline under general manager Ross Atkins. Since 2016, every year in which they’ve acted as buyers, they’ve pulled off at least three trades, often with a focus on pitching. In 2020 and 2022, they added three or more arms to their staff, and the approach has consistently paid off by raising the club’s floor down the stretch. From Jordan Hicks and Whit Merrifield to José Berríos and Anthony Bass, Toronto has been willing to spend prospect capital in exchange for reliable production.

This year, the script feels similar. The Jays are thriving, but injuries have tested their depth at every level. What they lack now isn’t patchwork solutions, it’s elite talent. Specifically, they need a game-changer at the back of the bullpen.

Why Duran Could Be on the Block
Minnesota finds itself in a complicated spot. The Twins are still on the fringes of the playoff picture, but the front office is likely open to creative deals, if they can fetch long-term value in return. Trading Duran would be a massive move, both symbolically and strategically, but it’s not out of the question.

Duran, still just 27, remains one of the most electric arms in baseball. He boasts a triple-digit fastball, a wicked splinker, and elite strikeout rates (26.3 K% in 2025). Through the 2025 season’s first half, he’s posted a 1.52 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, while converting 14 save opportunities. Despite being one of the American League’s most dominant relievers, Duran was somehow left off the All-Star roster, a snub that could still be corrected as injury replacements are named over the weekend.

Crucially, Duran is under team control through the 2027 season. The Blue Jays, like many teams, have shown a preference for adding players with team control. That extended runway of affordability makes him more than a rental. It makes him a long-term bullpen anchor, which significantly ups his trade value.

The Prospect Price Tag
If the Blue Jays want to land Duran, they’ll need to come to the table with a significant offer, and they have the pieces to make it happen. According to MLB Pipeline, Toronto’s top five prospects offer a compelling blend of upside and proximity to the majors:

SS Arjun Nimmala (No. 1) – One of the most exciting teenage infielders in the minors, Nimmala offers premium bat speed and a strong arm at shortstop. Still just 19, he’s raw but oozes star potential. At High-A, he is hitting .238/.325/.416 with 11 homers and 17 doubles. The Twins would be hard-pressed to pass up a deal involving a talent of this caliber, though it’s unlikely the Jays would consider moving him for even an elite reliever. Nimmala might be in play if, instead, the Jays lock in on Twins starter Joe Ryan.

RHP Trey Yesavage (No. 2) – A polished college arm from East Carolina, Yesavage was Toronto’s 2024 first-round pick and has quickly ascended the system as he reached Double-A this season. In 16 starts (67 2/3 IP), he has a 3.19 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP. With a deep pitch mix and strong command, he profiles as a mid-rotation starter who could reach the majors as soon as 2026.

2B/3B Orelvis Martinez (No. 3) – Recently promoted to the big leagues, Martinez brings major right-handed power and positional flexibility. He’s spent time at second base and third base and could help the Twins immediately, though questions remain about his plate discipline. He was a consensus top-100 prospect entering last season, so his stock has fallen. He’s struggled at Triple-A this season, with a .653 OPS in 74 games. 

LHP Ricky Tiedemann (No. 4) – Once considered one of the top left-handed pitching prospects in baseball, Tiedemann has battled injuries but still flashes frontline stuff when healthy. He underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2024, which will likely sideline him for most (if not all) of the 2025 season. His upside is tantalizing, but durability is the key concern.

The Twins would require one of the top three names as the centerpiece in any Duran trade, particularly given his dominance and years of team control. Packaging a bat like Martinez with a pitcher such as Tiedemann or Yesavage could be enough to grab Minnesota’s attention, especially if Toronto is serious about upgrading their bullpen with a true game-changer.

Why This Could Work
For Minnesota, dealing Duran would be painful but potentially transformative. They could acquire controllable talent to bolster their farm or fill immediate gaps, especially with the pitching pipeline still under development. For Toronto, it’s a matter of maximizing their current window with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and a rotation built to win now.

This is the kind of deal that takes nerve. It requires the Blue Jays to bet on Duran being the difference-maker in October. It requires the Twins to look past 2025 and see the bigger picture. But if the market shapes up as expected, with few true closers available and several contenders shopping, Minnesota might hold the single most valuable bullpen chip available.

Will the Blue Jays be bold enough to push all their chips in? If so, Duran might just be headed north of the border, and the Twins could walk away with a franchise-altering haul. 

Would the Blue Jays be willing to overpay for Duran? Leave a comment and start the discussion.Â