Reds Rumors: Cincy eyeing familiar trade partner to boost playoff hopes

The Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins are no strangers when it comes to trades. Back in 2022, the Reds dealt Tyler Mahle to the Twins in exchange for Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand at the deadline. Cincinnati and Minnesota also connected on an offseason deal that sent Sonny Gray to the Twin Cities in exchange for Chase Petty.

The Reds appear to be kicking the tires on another potential trade with the Twins this summer. According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Reds are among a large number of teams who are interested in pulling off a trade deadline deal with the Twins.

Nightengale named both Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax as potential trade targets, claiming that the Philadelphia Phillies are one of the teams who've been extensively scouting both Minnesota relievers. In addition to the Reds and Phillies, the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in trading with the Twins.

Reds Rumors: Twins reliever Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax could be on Cincy's radar

Both Duran and Jax are under team control beyond the 2025 season, so these two are the type of trade targets that would pique the interest of Nick Krall and the Reds front office. Duran, who has 15 saves on the season, is signed for $4.1 million this season and doesn't reach free agency until after 2027. Jax is taking home $3.7 million this season and has 65 strikeouts in 40 ⅓ innings pitched. Like Duran, he's under team control for two more seasons after 2025.

While Nightengale named Duran and Jax, the Philllies were the only team mentioned who was specifically linked to both Minnesota relievers. Though Cincinnati would certainly love to have some extra arms in the bullpen, perhaps there are other Twins players who could give the Reds lineup a boost as well.

Kody Clemens, son of former Cy Young Award-winner Roger Clemens, is having an outstanding season in Minnesota. Clemens, a left-handed bat, is hitting just .216 on the year, but owns a .507 slugging percentage and 117 OPS+. The 29-year-old has 12 home runs on the season and has experience playing multiple positions.

If the Reds are looking for outfield help, they could decide to give it another go with Harrison Bader. The former Gold Glove Award-winner was part of the Reds organization for 14 games during the 2023 season, and has put up solid numbers with the Twins this year. Hitting .249/.327/.433 with 11 homers and 34 RBI, Hader is having his best season since 2021 with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The switch-hitting Willi Castro could also been on the Reds' radar. A free agent after the season, Castro is purely a rental, but his .269/.361/.442 slash line could be enticing to Krall and Co to make a deal for the veteran utility player. Castro was an All-Star in 2024 and has experience playing nearly every position aside from first base and catcher.

If there's one thing fans can take away from these latest Reds rumors, it's that Cincinnati is looking to buy. While there's still a few weeks remaining until the MLB trade deadline, Reds fans are holding out hope that their team is in position to add rather than subtract before the month is out.

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