The Dodgers are considering a trade for Minnesota’s Harrison Bader and Jhoan Duran to boost both outfield defense and late-inning bullpen options, aligning with their win-now roster construction.
As the July 31 trade deadline nears, the Los Angeles Dodgers face pressure to solidify their roster amid a brutal stretch of play. Despite elite talent on paper, injuries and offensive inconsistencies, especially from struggling corner options like Michael Conforto, have exposed holes in both the outfield and bullpen.
According to recent reports, the Dodgers are eyeing the Minnesota Twins duo of Harrison Bader and Jhoan Duran to address those gaps simultaneously: Bader for premium defense and Duran for high-leverage relief upgrades. Here’s how L.A. could land both and why it matters.
Why Bader and Duran Help the Dodgers
Harrison Bader (OF, Twins)
Bader is having a breakout year defensively and offensively, slashing .255/.336/.441 with 12 homers, a 118 wRC+, and 1.9 fWAR in 88 games, a rare all-around contributor. His elite range and catch-up ability in center field would let the Dodgers rotate Enrique Hernández or J.D. Martinez without defensive sacrifice.
Jhoan Duran (RHP, Twins)
Since 2024, Duran has emerged as one of MLB’s best relievers. In 2025, he owns a 1.90 ERA with 16 saves, 52 strikeouts, and only 16 walks in 47 relief appearances . He’s under team control through 2027, making him a controllable high-leverage arm for the Dodgers’ postseason pursuits.
Jhoan Duran’s full entrance because it’s fun at night pic.twitter.com/r4Tvqv0Som
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) July 12, 2025
Why This Trade Works For Both Sides
-
For L.A.: Acquiring an elite defensive center fielder and dominant reliever in one package fills urgent roster needs, especially with postseason pressure mounting.
-
For Minnesota: The Twins are widely expected to sell multiple controllable pieces, and trading Bader and/or Duran would bring back MLB-ready or near-MLB talent (especially valuable with ownership in flux).
Possible Trade Details
| Dodgers Receive | Twins Receive | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Harrison Bader (OF) | Mid‑A outfield prospect High‑A LHP prospect |
Dodgers upgrade defense and bench depth; Twins restock system with controllable talent. |
| Jhoan Duran (RHP) | Top‑50 MiLB reliever prospect Double‑A position prospect |
Dodgers plug late‑inning gap; Twins acquire bullpen and lineup reserves aligned with rebuild timeline. |
Landing both Harrison Bader and Jhoan Duran would be a dual win for L.A., boosting outfield defense and injecting bullpen dominance before playoff rosters are set. Meanwhile, Minnesota could convert short-term value into long-term reinforcements, especially valuable in a transition window. If the Dodgers are willing to part with mid-tier prospects, this ‘six-for-two’ swap could quietly become one of the most impactful deadline moves of 2025.
