Dodgers linked to trading for pair of star relivers from AL team

The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be an active team ahead of the 2025 Major League Baseball trade deadline on July 31.

The Dodgers have a clear need in their bullpen, as Tanner Scott has struggled and hasn’t lived up to expectations. With that, MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today links the Dodgers to trading for Minnesota Twins star relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax.

The Dodgers, who swore up and down all winter and spring that they were going to stay out of the trade market, now have no choice but to get another reliever,” Nightengale wrote. “They thought they assembled a light-outs out bullpen when they shelled out $107 million to sign co-closers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, to go along with Blake Treinen.

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“Scott has already blown seven saves and given up eight homers with a 4.09 ERA. Yates is yielding a .500 slugging percentage. Evan Phillips underwent Tommy John surgery. And Treinen and Michael Kopech are hurt,” Nightengale added. “It leaves the Dodgers scouring the market, talking with the Minnesota Twins about Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax.”

Duran has two more years of club control as he won’t be a free agent until after the 2027 MLB season, so the cost to acquire him likely would be high. He’s 5-4 with a 1.66 ERA in 44 games, including going 15-for-17 on saves.

Jax, meanwhile, is 1-4 with a 3.92 ERA in 44 games this season and would be another high-leverage reliever for the Dodgers. He, like Duran, has two more years of club control, so acquiring one or both of them will cost Los Angeles quite a bit.

The Dodgers are currently 58-41 and atop the NL West.

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