Cubs Rumors: Twins bullpen duo could be in play, according to the latest buzz

The Chicago Cubs' bullpen was a major strength for the team in the first half of the season, buoyed by unexpected contributions from reclamation projects like Brad Keller, Chris Flexen and Drew Pomeranz. Their hot starts may not be sustainable, and that fact has Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer looking for late-inning bullpen reinforcements ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.

For the second time in a week, we have a report suggesting the Minnesota Twins are open to offers on a pair of right-handed relievers in shutdown closer Jhoan Duran and setup man Griffin Jax.

Cubs Rumors: Twins are reportedly shopping a pair of relief arms

Duran is an All-Star-caliber fireman and has been for some time. He's in the midst of a huge year for Minnesota, posting a 1.66 ERA and 2.14 FIP across 43 1/3 innings of work, and he has not allowed a single home run this season. Daniel Palencia has been a revelation in the ninth as the Cubs worked through early-season closer issues, but bringing in Duran and moving Palencia to a setup role would give Craig Counsell a formidable 1-2 punch to turn to with the game on the line.

He doesn't hit free agency until 2028, so he's going to command a hefty asking price if the Twins move him. The same is true for Jax, a 30-year-old right-hander who boasts a pristine 1.87 FIP in 44 appearances, a near-identical level of performance to last year, when he posted a 1.94 FIP across 72 outings.

Either would be a great addition to the Cubs' bullpen, which, as I mentioned, has been successful largely due to breakout showings or unexpected contributions this year. Adding proven commodities to the mix would help everyone breathe a sigh of relief as the team looks to defend its narrow edge in the NL Central down the stretch.

The Phillies, specifically, have repeatedly been connected to Twins bullpen arms in recent weeks, and as the trade market heats up, the number of suitors will only grow. With a limited number of clear-cut sellers at the break, teams could be forced into overpaying to land top-tier talent ahead of the stretch run.