As the MLB trade deadline looms, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in a familiar position: first place in the NL West with legitimate World Series aspirations—and a glaring need for bullpen help. With injuries mounting and inconsistency plaguing their relief corps, ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently spotlighted Minnesota Twins fireballer Jhoan Duran as the Dodgers’ “best match” in the trade market.
“The Dodgers enter every deadline season seeking a major move, and the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Durán qualifies,” Passan wrote. “With a fastball that averages over 100 mph, a splinker that sits at 98 and a curveball to keep hitters off balance, Durán is pitching as well as ever… If that one happens to be Durán, the Dodgers could theoretically trot out him, Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates and Alex Vesia to make their bullpen every bit as scary as the rest of their team.”
Duran: The Final Piece?
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Duran, 26, has emerged as one of MLB’s most dominant relievers. With a 1.52 ERA—third among all pitchers with 40+ innings—and a 100th percentile fastball velocity, he offers a rare blend of power and precision. His splitter (.204 opponent average) and devastating curveball (39.2% whiff rate) round out a pitch mix designed for postseason chaos.
Through 35.1 innings this season, Duran has struck out 40 batters, recorded 10 saves, and hasn’t surrendered a single home run. He’s also under team control through 2027, making him not just a short-term boost, but a long-term bullpen anchor.
Why the Dodgers Are in Play
Despite sitting atop the division at 56-38, the Dodgers are rapidly approaching a historic mark in pitchers used. Already at 35 pitchers this season, they’re inching toward the all-time record of 42 (Seattle, 2019). The need for durable, elite arms is urgent, especially with the postseason in sight and Shohei Ohtani’s prime not to be wasted.
Duran’s addition would elevate an already capable group that includes Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol, giving L.A. the type of postseason bullpen depth that championship teams require.
The Price: Dalton Rushing and More
To get Duran, the Dodgers will have to pay—possibly with Dalton Rushing, their top catching prospect. The 24-year-old has long been seen as a trade chip due to Will Smith’s stranglehold on the catcher position. Rushing owns an OPS north of .800 in the minors and offers elite offensive potential, but still needs development defensively.
His name has been floated in a potential package alongside Nick Frasso and Landon Knack, two pitchers with MLB experience and upside.
“The cost is significant, but the Dodgers’ depth allows them to make such a move without mortgaging their future,” wrote analyst Garrett Kerman.
High Risk, High Reward
For Minnesota, giving up Duran would sting—but it could bring back a trio of controllable, major league-ready players. With Ryan Jeffers nearing free agency, acquiring a high-ceiling catcher like Rushing makes sense long-term.
For the Dodgers, it’s a classic win-now move: flip prospect capital for a flamethrowing reliever who could be the difference between another early exit or another championship banner in Chavez Ravine.
As August approaches, the question isn’t whether the Dodgers will make a move—it’s whether they’ll go all-in for Duran.