Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Dodgers Exploring Trade for Twins Advanced Metric Darling Reliever to Fix Bullpen

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sterling Bennett | Last updated Jul 21, 2025 5:15 PM ET

As the Los Angeles Dodgers enter the dog days of summer, reinforcements are on their way. Starting pitchers Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell should make their returns in the next few weeks. Relief pitcher Blake Treinen is expecting to rejoin the team soon as well, but that does not mean the Dodgers should sit idly by at the trade deadline.

With the seventh-highest bullpen ERA (4.39) and the second-most home runs allowed (58) in the league, the Dodgers are scouring the trade market for relief pitchers, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. They have gone so far as to initiate trade talks with the Minnesota Twins about right-hander Griffin Jax.

Jax, although accumulating 10 saves in 2024, likely will not replace closer Tanner Scott. However, he will deepen Los Angeles’ bullpen and be a steady force in high-leverage situations. This season, the 30-year-old has accumulated a 3.83 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 42.1 innings. While his box score numbers do not leap off the page, his advanced statistics prove his dominance.

Jax leads all relief pitchers with 14.24 strikeouts per nine, a 32.3% strikeout-to-walk ratio, and ranks second with a 1.86 FIP. According to Baseball Savant, Jax sits inside the 99th percentile in strikeout rate, whiff rate, and chase percentage. His name may not carry the same weight as an Emmanuel Clase or Ryan Helsley, but Jax’s advanced metrics are miles ahead of both.

Jax, similar to his teammate Jhoan Duran, has two more years of arbitration left on his contract. The controllable years might make Minnesota reluctant to deal both arms, but if the Dodgers zero in on one of them, the haul may be too rich for the Twins to decline. Los Angeles currently has the fourth-ranked farm system, according to Bleacher Report, and a desperate need at the position, making Minnesota the perfect trade partner.

Entering the post-trade deadline stretch of the season with a returning Treinen, Scott, and Griffin Jax would, on paper, give the Dodgers a fierce bullpen built for October.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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