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Cubs Trade Pitch Brings Flame Throwing Closer to Chicago

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andrew Wright | Last updated Apr 9, 2025 5:00 PM ET

As the 2025 MLB season is underway, most teams are beginning to understand their most significant strengths and weaknesses. For the Chicago Cubs, their biggest weakness is undoubtedly their bullpen.

Chicago hoped that the acquisition of former Houston Astros closer Ryan Pressly would be a step in the right direction toward improving the bullpen. While Pressly hasn't blown a save yet, his 3.86 ERA may not be sustainable throughout the season.

Exploring the trade market for a closer may be the best option for the Cubs, and a team and player that comes to mind is the Minnesota Twins' closer Jhoan Duran.

In a division where the Twins could very well be the fourth-best team, Duran is a prime trade candidate, and Minnesota could capitalize on his value now before he enters the later stages of his career. Here is what a potential trade between the two teams could look like.

Cubs receive: RHP Jhoan Duran

Twins receive: 2B/OF James Triantos (CHC No. 5 prospect), RHP Jack Neely (CHC No. 16 prospect), and IF Ben Cowles (CHC No. 22 prospect).

The Cubs would get what they hope will be their lockdown closer, who has three years of team control remaining, and Minnesota would receive three of Chicago's top 30 prospects.

Triantos does not have much of a path to the major leagues with Chicago, as Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson clog the middle infield. Neely is much the same, as the Cubs' pitching depth ahead of him will make it extremely tough to make it up to the big leagues again. Cowles is in the same boat as Triantos.

Going from a back-end of the bullpen combo of Hodge and Pressly to Hodge, Pressly, and Duran could give Chicago one of the best late-inning reliever trios in the entire league.

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

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