Jhoan Duran Trade Buzz: Twins’ 103-MPH Closer Emerges as Hottest MLB Deadline Target

Minnesota Twins flamethrower Jhoan Durán has rocketed to the center of 2025 Major League Baseball trade-deadline buzz, and industry chatter suggests the 26-year-old closer could be the most coveted relief arm on the market. With his 100-plus-mph “splinker,” team-friendly club control through 2027, and a sparkling 1.86 ERA, Durán offers playoff hopefuls a rare chance to add both power and cost certainty to the back end of their bullpens. Why the Twins Might Move Their All-Star Minnesota opened July just two games over .500 and sits fourth in a crowded AL Wild Card race. Front-office sources indicate that president of baseball operations Derek Falvey is willing to listen on Durán if the return upgrades the club’s thin farm system while preserving its medium-range competitive window. Recent reporting from The Athletic places both Durán and setup man Griffin Jax among the top-10 most valuable deadline chips available league-wide. Potential Landing Spots • New York Yankees – Seeking late-inning stability behind Clay Holmes, New York has circled Durán as its “Plan A,” according to multiple league insiders. • Philadelphia Phillies – Boasting elite ground-ball metrics, Durán fits Dave Dombrowski’s preference for power arms in Citizens Bank Park’s homer-friendly confines. • Toronto Blue Jays – Rumored five-player framework would send two controllable pitchers north of the border while delivering Minnesota an MLB-ready infielder plus prospects. What Makes Durán Different • Velocity Leader: 100.3 mph average four-seam fastball, tops among qualified relievers. • Elite Whiff Rate: 26.4 %, driven by a splitter that dives out of the zone late. • Ground-Ball Machine: 67.8 % ground-ball rate limits extra-base damage; only five XBH allowed all season. • Cost Control: Arbitration-eligible 2026-27; no free agency until 2028. Statistical Snapshot (through July 29, 2025) • 16 saves in 18 chances • 48.1 IP, 52 K, 11 BB • 0.88 WHIP, .174 opponents’ AVG How a Trade Could Reshape the Pennant Race In an era where bullpens decide October, Durán’s ability to work multi-inning, high-leverage spots makes him arguably more valuable than a mid-rotation rental starter. For contenders like the Yankees or Phillies—each with World Series aspirations but bullpen cracks—adding Durán could convert close losses into wins down the stretch. Conversely, Minnesota can capitalize on peak value, restock a farm system ranked 24th by Baseball America, and still return to contention as soon as 2026. Risk Factors for Buyers • Injury History: Brief IL stint last year with forearm tightness. • Pitch-Type Reliance: Heavy usage of one elite pitch can be volatile. • Acquisition Cost: Front-line prospects plus a near-ready major leaguer likely required. Deadline Outlook League sources peg the Twins as “closer than ever” to moving Durán, with talks expected to intensify 48 hours before the 6 p.m. ET deadline. If Minnesota receives an over-the-top offer—think a top-50 overall prospect and additional depth pieces—expect a blockbuster that could reshape both leagues’ playoff brackets. The Bottom Line Jhoan Durán represents the perfect storm of elite performance, electric raw stuff, and long-term control. As the countdown to July 31 accelerates, keep an eye on Minneapolis: the flame-throwing right-hander’s next pitch might come in pinstripes, red pinstripes, or north of the border—but wherever he lands, he’ll instantly alter the 2025 championship calculus.