The top reliever available ahead of the MLB trade deadline appears close to being dealt.
That's Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran.
"A number of relievers have already been traded today — Tyler Rogers, Taylor Rogers, Andrew Chafin, Luis Garcia and Tyler Kinley — and the expectation is that Jhoan Duran could be next. Mariners and Dodgers making a push, according to sources, though other teams still trying, too," writes MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on X.
Duran is the ultimate prize for bullpen seekers, unless A's closer Mason Miller is moved.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Dominican right-hander throws in the low-100s.
His best pitch is a splinker that can get up to about 100 with nasty downward movement.
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Duran has spent four seasons in the major leagues, and he's been one of the best bullpen arms in baseball the whole time.
He broke in as a 24-year old in 2022 and had a 1.86 ERA with 89 strikeouts in 67.2 innings.
In 2023, Duran put up a 2.45 ERA with 84 more punchouts in 62.1 innings.
He struggled the most in 2024, with a 3.64 ERA and a 6-9 record while striking out 66 in 54.1 innings.
Duran is back to his usual self statistically this season with a 2.01 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 49.1 innings.
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The star reliever has 16 saves in 49 appearances, with the Twins happy to use him in multiple different situations.
If he went to the Dodgers, he'd probably be the closer. Between injuries and ineffectiveness, their bullpen hasn't quite shaped up the way they expected it to.
The Mariners already have a strong closer in right-hander Andres Munoz, so that'd be a less certain situation. It'd be great for Seattle to have both guys, but as far as how they'd be used together, that'd be something to be figured out if they can actually pull off the deal for Duran.
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