Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins could make an intriguing trade candidate for the Dodgers.
The Los Angeles Dodgers could use bullpen assistance badly before the July 31 trade deadline, especially with several elite starters set to come off the IL.
That’s why a writer at Bleacher Report suggested LA would add to its pitching depth by acquiring Griffin Jax from the Minnesota Twins.
Jax is 1-4 with a 4.12 ERA and 1.27 WHIP this season and is under team control through the 2027 season. Teams are calling about Jax’s availability since Minnesota is 11-20 in its past 31 games and sits four games out — behind three teams — of the final AL wild-card spot.
The Dodgers are 24th in bullpen ERA (4.44) and have a worse mark than even the bullpen-deficient Philadelphia Phillies.
Why Would The Dodgers Want Griffin Jax?
Jax’s numbers may not be good, but he has been effective in the past, notably last season when he went 5-5 with a 2.03 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with 10 saves in 71 innings.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been employing lefty Tanner Scott in the closer role, and also has former closer Kirby Yates available at the back end of games. But with Jax, who has closed and set up, he could add another closer-caliber reliever to use in high-leverage spots, wrote Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report on Friday.
“Jax would be a great fit because he can pitch the ninth inning, but he could also be utilized in other high-leverage situations,” Kelly wrote. “He’s regressed to a 4.12 ERA this season, though both his 3.10 expected ERA and 1.92 FIP suggest he’s been very unlucky.”
Kelly also set up the potential cost for the Dodgers, which would be substantially less than if they tried to acquire the Twins’ much-ballyhooed closer Jhoan Duran.
“Jax is 30 years old, so he likely won’t cost as much as 27-year-old teammate Jhoan Durán would, but Jax has two remaining arbitration years, so he would be a long-term cog if acquired,” Kelly wrote.
“Alex Freeland—the third-highest ranked prospect in L.A.’s system and No. 42 in baseball, per MLB Pipeline—could be an interesting piece to build the trade around. LHP Jackson Ferris, the No. 69 prospect in the sport, might also make sense as someone for the Twins to pursue.”
What Other Relievers Are Available For The Dodgers?
With Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell both close to coming back, and Shohei Ohtani building up to go deeper into games, a pitcher like Jax would be a smart acquisition, especially with high-priced, veteran arms also out there.
But the Dodgers have shown almost no restraint in maximizing their championship window, so if they wanted to take another huge swing, Duran and Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar would be the two best options.
After a subpar 2024, Duran is back to being a lights-out closer. He only has 14 saves, mainly due to the fact the Twins have been losing so many games, since Duran boasts a 1.54 ERA, 9.8 K/9 rate and 1.09 WHIP in 42 appearances this year.
Bednar has overcome early-season struggles to become an electric closer despite pitching for the lowly Pirates. The 30-year-old has 12 saves in 30 innings but has pitched to a 0.54 ERA with nine saves — allowing just one earned run — with 22 strikeouts over his past 16 2/3 innings.
Bednar is more likely to be dealt than Duran, and the Dodgers may want him more due to his swing-and-miss stuff, proven by his dominant 12.9 K/9 rate.
