Twins Trade Jax to Rays for Bradley in Deadline Frenzy

Roster Shake-up Culminates in Unexpected Move

In a whirlwind of trade deadline activity, the Minnesota Twins moved elite setup man Griffin Jax to the Tampa Bay Rays for young pitcher Taj Bradley mere minutes before the 5 p.m. CT cutoff on Thursday.

A Slow-Developing Market

The market for Jax initially moved slowly, leaving the Twins uncertain about securing a suitable return. While the Twins were motivated to trade Jhoan Duran earlier due to favorable offers, this wasn’t initially the case for Jax.

Teammate’s Intervention and a Manager’s Meeting

An incident where Jax confronted manager Rocco Baldelli in a recent game, though not a direct catalyst for the trade, may have inadvertently set the stage. Teammate Carlos Correa, present during the dugout exchange, facilitated a meeting between Jax and Baldelli to clear the air.

Following this, Correa informed Jax about the team’s direction and indicated he would waive his no-trade clause for a deal to Houston if a roster overhaul was indeed planned. With the team’s direction shifting and a shocking trade sending Correa back to the Astros, Jax formally requested a trade.

Late Drama and a Rumor’s Ripple Effect

As the deadline neared, Jax believed he would remain with the team, especially after an incorrect report surfaced suggesting Joe Ryan was traded to the Boston Red Sox. This rumor, quickly retracted, left Ryan under the impression he was on the move and caused Jax to worry about his own situation after requesting a trade.

Unbeknownst to Ryan, Jax, and others, the Twins were finalizing Tampa Bay’s offer for Bradley. Simultaneously, they were close to sending reliever Louis Varland to the Blue Jays for outfielder Alan Roden and pitching prospect Kendry Rojas.

“I don’t know what exactly (Jax) was thinking. There’s a lot of emotions from the day before. I know that was probably weighing on him and that the team was going to be shifted around and that the season hasn’t gone our way. It’s a tough place to be in. … He wasn’t freaking out or anything. I think there was a lot of shock just kind of what happened with everything. There’s so much that goes into it. It was a very weird shift.”

—Joe Ryan, Pitcher

Post-Deadline Developments

Derek Falvey, president of baseball operations, addressed Ryan‘s perceived trade to the Red Sox, clarifying that talks never gained significant traction. Boston’s engagement came very late, just 15 minutes before the deadline, hindering their ability to agree on trade terms.

The Twins have reportedly reached out to free agent reliever Ryan Pressly, a former Twin, regarding a potential reunion to bolster an inexperienced bullpen. Pressly, recently designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs, is considering his options.

Owner’s Outreach and Prospect Evaluations

Owner Joe Pohlad contacted all 10 players traded during the deadline week to express his gratitude. Sources indicated both Pohlad and Falvey appeared stressed during the proceedings.

In the trade for outfielder Harrison Bader, the Twins acquired 16-year-old pitcher Geremy Villoria from the Phillies. Villoria, who debuted in the Dominican Summer League on Saturday, has impressed with a 94 mph fastball and a potent slider.

The catching prospect Eduardo Tait, acquired from Philadelphia for Duran, faces questions about his long-term position, with some evaluators seeing a 50-50 chance he sticks behind the plate. Regardless, he is expected to transition to first base if needed. Tait, the fourth youngest player in the Florida State League this season, posted an OPS of .758 with 11 homers in 332 plate appearances.