The Minnesota Twins find themselves in a difficult midseason position, caught between contention and caution. Hovering around the playoff picture, they’ve leaned heavily on one of baseball’s best bullpens to stay afloat. But with the trade deadline looming on July 31, there’s a growing case for selling, especially when you look at what top relievers have returned at recent trade deadlines.

Could this be the time for Derek Falvey to cash in on Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, or even Danny Coulombe? If recent deals are any indication, the return might be too tempting to ignore.

Tanner Scott Headlines a Bullpen Boom
Last year, the Padres made the biggest bullpen blockbuster, acquiring All-Star closer Tanner Scott and swingman Bryan Hoeing from the Marlins. The return? Four prospects, including Robby Snelling, San Diego’s No. 2 prospect and a top-50 name across MLB, plus fellow top-five system arms Adam Mazur and Graham Pauley. That’s a massive haul for two relievers, the far better of whom (Scott) was a free agent at the end of 2024.

Scott’s numbers at the time (1.18 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 45 2/3 IP) were undeniably elite, and he had the “proven closer” label. Duran and Jax, by contrast, bring not just performance but two more years of team control. That’s worth something—potentially, a lot.

Lower Tiers Still Yield Talent
Not every trade at recent deadlines has been a blockbuster, but even lesser relievers pull in real value:

These aren’t just trades for lottery tickets. Teams are paying real talent for relievers, even rentals. That makes you wonder: What would a team offer for Jax or Duran, who are under control through 2027 and carry better numbers than some of the names mentioned above?

Coulombe: A Logical Trade Chip
If the Twins don’t want to part with long-term assets, Coulombe is the obvious name to watch. The 34-year-old lefty has quietly put together one of the best seasons of his career, with a 0.68 ERA and a 27.9 K%. He’s also a free agent after this season.

Think David Robertson in 2023, who brought the Mets two promising FCL-level prospects despite being a 38-year-old rental. He also netted the Cubs intriguing pitcher Ben Brown as a rental at the 2022 deadline. Players at the FCL level and pitchers with long injury histories are wild cards, but if a team like the Twins gets enough wild cards, one will turn into an impact big-league player. Coulombe might not have Robertson’s resume, but he’s been at his best in 2025. Teams looking for left-handed relief will come calling.

The Wild Cards: Duran and Jax
Let’s be clear: moving Duran would be a massive, headline-grabbing deal. He’s one of the few relievers in baseball with the stuff to dominate in multiple ways, with his sheer velocity commanding attention but his curveball and splinker being the keys to his high strikeout and ground-ball rates. At the 2023 deadline, Jordan Hicks brought back two high-upside Double-A arms as a rental (Blue Jays’ No. 7 prospect Sem Robberse and Adam Kloffenstein). Duran would fetch significantly more, thanks to his elite metrics and extra years of control.

Jax is quietly just as valuable, in his own way. He’s become one of MLB’s most reliable setup men, posting back-to-back strong seasons. There has been some bad luck tied to his overall numbers this year, as he has an ERA above 4.00 but a FIP below 2.00. His career-high 37.9% strikeout rate is something that will play in the postseason. A contender looking for a bridge to October might be willing to part with multiple top-100 prospects to solidify their bullpen’s highest-leverage innings, this year and in each of the next two.

These Aren’t Perfect Comps, But the Market Is Loud
Not every trade listed is a clean comparison. Duran and Jax aren’t rentals, and the leverage of having them locked up through 2027 increases their value, but it also raises the bar for the return. The Twins would need to be overwhelmed to part with either.

Still, the message from previous years’ markets is clear: contenders pay heavily for bullpen help, and Minnesota might hold the cards everyone wants. If the Twins choose to take a half-step back, the bullpen is where they could make the most significant leap forward to keep the team’s winning window open as long as possible. After all, relievers are volatile. Prospects are currency. And this deadline, the price has never been higher.

The Twins don’t have to sell. But if they do, they might be surprised how much someone’s willing to pay for 100-mph heat and a devastating splinker.

What do you think: Should the Twins capitalize on the market for bullpen arms or hold tight for a playoff push? Share your take in the comments below!