The Detroit Tigers are "strongly interested" in a pair of Minnesota Twins relievers.
Ahead of the MLB trade deadline, the Detroit Tigers have a few areas they are planning to address. A third baseman is of interest, as is a starting pitcher. But, one of the more pressing needs for Detroit is in the bullpen.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Tigers are one of many teams that are interested in Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax. While it'd be a rare in-division deal, the Tigers could pull such a move off if they want either of the two.
"The Philadelphia Phillies have been extensively scouting Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax..." Nightengale writes, "The Twins are also drawing strong interest from the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cincinnati Reds."
Duran and Jax are the Twins' top relievers, and with both potentially available, either would be a nice pickup for the Tigers' bullpen. Both are under team control through 2027, and both are righties.
While the Tigers could use a lefty to pair with right-handers Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle, it wouldn't exclude the Tigers from landing a strong righty reliever. If the righty ended up as either Duran or Jax, it'd be a nice move.
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This season, Duran has a 1.49 ERA, 47 strikeouts and 16 walks, with no home runs allowed, across 42.1 innings pitched. Jax, meanwhile, has a 4.02 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 10 walks across 40.1 innings pitched.
While Duran has been better this season, in 2024, Jax was better. He had a 2.03 ERA and 95 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 71 innings pitched. Duran has a 3.64 ERA, 66 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 54.1 innings pitched.
Both Twins relievers had a strong and decent season over the last two years. Either the 27-year-old Duran or the 30-year-old Jax would be nice acquisitions if the Tigers can pull it off.
This report from Nightengale suggests the Tigers are strongly interested in Twins' relievers John Duran and Griffin Jax. While an in-division deal might be hard to pull off, the Tigers are still keeping the door open to landing one of the Twins' relievers at the deadline.
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Category: Baseball
