What will the San Diego Padres do at the trade deadline?
They are firmly in the National League pennant race at 55-45 and just 3.5 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West lead. Catcher and left field are obvious areas of concern, and another starting pitcher would help.
Advertisement
But perhaps San Diego turns its attention elsewhere.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, NL threats such as the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and Dodgers have also shown “strong interest” in Minnesota Twins star closer Jhoan Durán, as well as setup man Griffin Jax.
While the Padres have the best combined bullpen ERA in baseball at 3.15, the idea of any of those teams plucking Duran (or Jax) should compel them into a pursuit. San Diego has largely succeeded so far because of that bullpen, and allowing competitors to narrow the gap does not bode well for their October hopes.
Durán may be redundant, and with two years of team control remaining after this year, there is sure to be a heavy asking price from Minnesota.
Advertisement
But he is good enough to erase those obstacles.
Now in his fourth season with the Twins, Durán has a 1.62 ERA, a 2.12 FIP, 15 saves, and 50 strikeouts to 16 walks over 44 and 1/3 innings. This is no fluke campaign, either, as he carries a career 2.40 ERA and 2.71 FIP.
Imagine a postseason bullpen that features Robert Suarez (3.46 ERA, 2.23 FIP), Jason Adam (2.01 ERA, 3.19 FIP), Adrián Morejón (1.76 ERA, 2.00 FIP), and Durán. The Padres could legitimately wrap games up by the fifth inning.
Durán may not be the clear top priority, but this unique route could pay off in October.