As the 2025 MLB trade deadline looms on July 31, the New York Yankees are charging toward the postseason with a bold strategy to fortify their roster. Fresh off adding two impact infielders, Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario, to lock down third base, the Yankees are now setting their sights on bolstering their pitching staff. According to ESPN’s MLB analyst Tristan Cockcroft, a blockbuster trade proposal could see New York land one of baseball’s most electrifying relievers, Jhoan Duran, from the Minnesota Twins in a deal that would reshape their bullpen for the playoff push.
In the proposed swap, the Yankees would acquire:
Jhoan Duran, a flame-throwing right-hander with a 100-mph fastball and a 2.01 ERA this season.
In exchange, the Twins would receive two of New York’s top prospects:
Carlos Lagrange, the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect, a towering 6-foot-7 right-handed pitcher dominating Double-A with a 3.54 ERA in eight starts.
Roc Riggio, New York’s No. 10 prospect, a second baseman hitting .265 with 11 home runs and 28 RBIs in Double-A, projected to reach the majors in 2026.
This trade would be a steep price for the Yankees, but Duran’s elite arm and two additional years of club control make him a game-changer for three postseason runs.
The Yankees’ bullpen has been a sore spot this season, ranking 21st in MLB with a 4.25 ERA. Key relievers from their Opening Day roster, including Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, have underperformed, while Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. are sidelined with long-term injuries. Last year’s postseason success—powered by a stellar 2.67 bullpen ERA—proved that a dominant relief corps is critical for a deep October run. Enter Jhoan Duran.
Duran, 6-4 with a 2.01 ERA and 16-for-18 in save opportunities this season, brings unhittable stuff to the Bronx. His triple-digit fastball and devastating secondary pitches make him a perfect fit for high-leverage situations under manager Aaron Boone. Whether setting up or closing games, Duran’s ability to overpower hitters complements the unique styles of Williams’ “Airbender” changeup and Weaver’s rising fastball, creating a dynamic late-inning trio.
“Duran, with his 100-mph heater, presents a nice contrast in styles,” Cockcroft noted. “A dominant bullpen was critical to the Yankees’ playoff run last year, and acquiring Duran would be a costly but necessary move for a defending league champion in need.”
Trading away Lagrange and Riggio would sting for the Yankees’ farm system. Lagrange, signed for just $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic, has skyrocketed up prospect rankings with a 2.35 ERA and a 38.8% strikeout rate in his last six Double-A starts. His “filthy” fastball mirrors Duran’s, making him a prized asset. Riggio, meanwhile, offers positional versatility and offensive upside, with his .265 average and power potential signaling a bright future.
However, with the Yankees sitting at 57-49 and clinging to the top AL Wild Card spot, general manager Brian Cashman is in win-now mode. “Whether it’s bullpen guys or starting pitchers, it’s just all of it,” Cashman said ahead of the deadline. “We have people that are capable, but I think it also needs to get some help. We’re going to be fully engaged and see where it takes us.”
The addition of Duran would transform the Yankees’ bullpen into a postseason juggernaut, capable of shutting down opponents in the crucial late innings. While parting with two top prospects is a tough pill to swallow, the immediate impact of an elite reliever like Duran—locked in for three pennant races—could be the difference between a Wild Card exit and a World Series run.
For the Twins, who are likely to be sellers at the deadline, Lagrange and Riggio represent a strong return, restocking their farm system with high-upside talent. For the Yankees, this trade is a statement: they’re all-in for 2025. With McMahon and Rosario already strengthening the infield, and Duran potentially anchoring the bullpen, New York is building a roster ready to chase another championship.