Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
We are now nearly two weeks from the Major League Baseball trade deadline and the dust has all but settled. Despite the Minnesota Twins unbelievable selloff, they have played better baseball in the aftermath.
Rocco Baldelli’s team has won two straight series against the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals. They were just two runs short of going 3-for-3 with a series win against the Cleveland Guardians.
Credit: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images
When players started dropping like flies, guys begun to ask out. Carlos Correa obliged the Houston Astros attempt to acquire him. Griffin Jax then followed suit and wound up with the Tampa Bay Rays. Now on new teams, position changes aren’t out of the realm of possibility.
Griffin Jax could reignite starter talks this offseason
Prior to the regular season there was talk about Griffin Jax returning to a starting role for the Minnesota Twins. The dominant reliever knows where the money is, and he has the pitch mix to do it. Following a trade to the Tampa Bay Rays, and their developmental prowess, some teammates believe it may not be off the table.
The Twins sought a package of prospects for Jax similar to the one they received in the Duran deal, and Jax’s market didn’t pick up until the last day. Tampa Bay was straddling the line between buyer and seller after playing poorly that week.
Bradley was demoted to the minor leagues about a week before the trade deadline, so the Twins had many internal conversations about him before it developed into a one-for-one trade. Some Twins players suspect the Rays will try to convert Jax to a starter this offseason.
Jax requested through his agent to be traded after Correa was dealt, sources confirmed, but the Twins were prepared to hold on to him if trade talks fell through. The Twins didn’t agree to the deal until the last half-hour before the deadline.
Bobby Nightengale – Star Tribune
As the Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale outline Minnesota’s trade frenzy, he did get some thoughts from those in the clubhouse. With Taj Bradley, a starter, coming to the Twins there is an opening in the Tampa Bay rotation.
7 minutes of Griffin Jax strikeouts from this season ⬇️
This is some of the best stuff in the entire sport. pic.twitter.com/wm0KgoWx1V
— Jake (@TBRaysCentral) August 1, 2025
For now Jax carries a 4.93 ERA (2.32 FIP) with a 76/15 K/BB across 49 1/3 innings this season. He has scuffled more with Tampa Bay after giving up a run in his first outing, and allowing a three-run game-winning homer to Cal Raleigh in his last outing.
Jax has proven to be among the best relievers in baseball, but he could have a desire to return to a role he hasn’t held down since 2021. He possesses five different pitches, and if used effectively, that puts him in position to operate in a starting capacity.
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Minnesota opted against returning Jax to the rotation this past offseason. Instead they built arguably the best bullpen in baseball. Tampa may move differently, and for a guy who should make around $6 million next season, he’d be a cost-effective option that the Rays are always known to love.
If Jax does make a move back to the starting rotation, he’ll join former teammate Carlos Correa (shortstop to third base) as players to switch positions with their new employer.
Mentioned in this article: Griffin Jax Trade Deadline
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