Apr 26, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins pitcher Griffin Jax (22) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during the seventh inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Jeffrey Becker
Twins' closer Jhoan Durán has been a target of Phillies fans during trade season, but could president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski wind up bolstering the bullpen with one of his teammates instead?
Appearing with Mike Missanelli on 97.5 The Fanatic Wednesday, Jayson Stark of The Athletic was asked "who is the most likely guy that makes the buzz here in town" that the Phillies could acquire before tomorrow evening's 6 p.m. ET trade deadline:
"You're describing it correctly. What they're shopping for is barely available. I know this would be surprising to people — I honestly think that their top target has become Griffin Jax, who is actually the set-up man for Jhoan Durán in Minnesota. It really doesn't sound like they want to trade him (Durán), he's got two-and-a-half years of control. And if they trade Durán, then it sounds to me like they're being asked for Andrew Painter. I just don't see that. I know they've definitely inquired about Mason Miller, it sounds like Andrew Painter would probably be what the A's would ask for for him. I can't see them paying that price."
The Phillies being unwilling to trade Painter checks out. ESPN's Buster Olney and Jesse Rogers have previously reported that the Phillies declined to include Painter in trade talks for Garrett Crochet with the Chicago White Sox last summer. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported earlier this month that the Phillies are still unwilling to discuss Painter in trades, despite some ups and downs in the 22-year-old's first experience at Triple-A.
It's possible that in the final hours before the trade deadline, either the Twins or A's lower the price on their closers and the Phillies are able to construct a deal that doesn't include Painter. But it's unclear why that would happen. Durán, 27, can't become a free agent until after the 2027 season. Miller, 26, can't reach free agency until the 2029 campaign concludes. There is major injury risk with relievers that throw triple digits, but their current teams might just not be interested in moving them right now.
With all that said, if Durán and Miller aren't truly attainable — and Emmanuel Clase is now off the board after being placed on paid leave as part of a gambling investigation — Phillies fans should be very excited about the possibility of Jax. Heck, even if the price lowers on Durán or Miller, Jax is still really appealing.
In fact, since the start of the 2023 season, FanGraphs says that Jax leads all relief pitchers with 5.3 WAR. He hasn't had a ton of opportunities to close out games, but there's no reason to believe he couldn't handle it. Jax actually has a 14.1 K/9 this season, as opposed to 9.7 from Duran and 13.9 from Miller. The easiest way to alleviate concerns about your defense — which the Phillies have at some spots — is to not let the other team put the ball in play. Jax is generally really good at that.
It is true that Jax has a 3.91 ERA in 49 games this year, which is surely something critics would point to if he was the big pickup by the Phillies. But Jax's 2.98 expected ERA and 2.01 FIP both suggest he's been unlucky this year and better results are coming. Also, if you are a big ERA person, he had a 2.03 ERA across 72 games last season.
Griffin Jax, Wicked Sweepers...and Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/MEteME6Hkm
What should be noted is that while Jax is a little older than Miller and Durán, the 30-year-old still wouldn't be cheap to acquire. He's got a four-pitch repertoire that includes a nasty sweeper, 97 mph fastball, 96 mph sinker and a change-up. He's also under team control through 2027, meaning any acquiring team would be getting him for three pennant races. It wouldn't take Painter to acquire Jax, but there's a real possibility shortstop Aidan Miller would be on the move in this type of deal.
If the Phillies do end up acquiring Jax, it would be something of a full-circle moment. The Phillies selected Jax out of Cherry Creek High School in Colorado in the 12th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, but he ultimately chose to instead attend the Air Force Academy. That worked out for him, because the Twins then picked Jax in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft. A trade from the Twins to the Phillies years later would be a hell of a story.
