The Dodgers Just Got Even More Desperate to Spend Big on Jhoan Durán After Bullpen Collapses Again in Crucial Stretch

The Los Angeles Dodgers don’t just want Jhoan Durán. They need him. And after yet another bullpen collapse that shook confidence in their late-inning crew, the pressure to add an elite closer has reached emergency levels. The whispers inside the organization aren’t whispers anymore. They’re full-blown sirens: go get Durán, no matter the cost.

The Dodgers were already considered one of the most aggressive teams ahead of the trade deadline. With a powerhouse lineup featuring Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, and a solid (but thinning) starting rotation, the bullpen was always the weak spot—the Achilles heel on an otherwise championship-caliber roster.

And it’s not just about stats anymore. It’s about the feel. The mood. The pressure.

Last weekend, L.A. was poised to sweep a tough divisional series and create breathing room atop the NL West. But the bullpen imploded—again. A 3-run ninth-inning lead turned into a devastating walk-off loss. Emotions boiled over. Fans booed. Teammates avoided eye contact. And the Dodgers’ front office? They didn’t blink. They called it what it was: a final warning.

Now, with the trade deadline looming and the window of opportunity closing with every late-inning disaster, the Dodgers are more desperate than ever to add the most electric closer in baseball—Jhoan Durán of the Minnesota Twins.

Durán, with his 104-mph fireballs and fearless approach on the mound, represents everything the Dodgers bullpen currently lacks: intimidation, reliability, and the ability to slam the door shut. The 26-year-old Dominican right-hander doesn’t just throw hard—he demoralizes hitters. His splitter is filthy. His command is improving. And his presence alone reshapes a ninth inning.

It’s no wonder the Dodgers’ internal analytics team reportedly flagged Durán as the No. 1 priority weeks ago. But after this most recent bullpen catastrophe, that interest has escalated into something more: a full-on arms race.

The Cost of Desperation

Of course, talent like Durán doesn’t come cheap—especially not under team control until 2027.

The Twins know what they have. They’re hovering near the postseason bubble themselves, and trading away their flamethrowing closer would signal a major shift in priorities. But if Minnesota decides to retool or sell high, the Dodgers are prepared to break the bank in prospects.

Names like Gavin Stone, Josue De Paula, and Nick Frasso—players previously considered off-limits—may now be fair game. The desperation is that real. The front office knows it. The locker room feels it. Even the fanbase can sense it.

It’s not often a contender with a $300 million payroll is painted into a corner. But this Dodgers team is. And the price tag for Durán, once negotiable, now looks like a steep toll L.A. is ready to pay.

Why Durán and L.A. Are a Perfect Match

Baseball is filled with intangible chemistry. Some players fit a uniform like it was tailored for them. Jhoan Durán feels like a Dodger already—just waiting for the jersey.

Think about the big moments this team will face in October. The atmosphere at Chavez Ravine. The expectations. The spotlight. The pressure. It’s not for everyone. But Durán? He feeds off it. He plays like the lights are never too bright, the moment never too big.

He’s battle-tested. Clutch. He makes great hitters look hopeless. He makes fans believe the game is already over when he enters in the ninth.

That’s something L.A. hasn’t had consistently since Kenley Jansen’s prime.

Sure, Evan Phillips has been serviceable. Brusdar Graterol has shown flashes. But neither has the sheer dominance, consistency, and psychological edge Durán brings. And that edge may be the difference between another early exit and a World Series parade.

The Clock Is Ticking

The Dodgers’ bullpen ERA ranks in the bottom third of MLB among playoff contenders. They’ve blown over a dozen save opportunities this season, many of them in gut-wrenching fashion. And with every blown lead, the pressure mounts—not just on the relievers, but on manager Dave Roberts and President of Baseball Ops Andrew Friedman.

This is a team built to win now. Ohtani didn’t come to finish second. Betts and Freeman are in their prime. The fanbase doesn’t want patience. They want rings.

And in today’s MLB, elite closers win playoff games. Look at what Josh Hader did for the Padres last October. Look at how Craig Kimbrel has revived his legacy with the Orioles. And think about what Durán could do in the Dodgers’ bullpen—shutting down the ninth with the best lineup in baseball behind him.

It’s not a luxury. It’s a necessity.

Inside the War Room

Reports out of L.A. suggest the Dodgers have already reached out to Minnesota, and discussions are ongoing. While no official offer has been submitted yet, the expectation is that multiple top-tier prospects could be on the table—especially after this past weekend’s collapse.

And it’s not just L.A. in the hunt. Teams like the Yankees, Phillies, and Astros have also shown interest. But none of them are quite as desperate. None of them have as much pressure to win now. And none of them just watched their bullpen collapse for the third time in two weeks in front of a sellout crowd.

Durán is the fix. And the Dodgers know it.

What Happens Next?

The Twins aren’t in a rush. They can afford to be picky. But leverage swings quickly in baseball, and if the Dodgers come calling with a godfather offer—three top-10 prospects and cash considerations—it’s hard to imagine Minnesota saying no.

The front office in L.A. is already shifting into high gear. Expect movement soon. The phone lines are heating up. And in the words of one league executive, “If the Dodgers don’t land Jhoan Durán, it won’t be because they didn’t try everything they could.”

You don’t win championships by waiting for things to get better. You win by fixing them before it’s too late. The Dodgers have watched too many late leads slip away, too many playoff dreams fall apart in the eighth or ninth. They’ve tried to patch it up, to find internal answers.

But this season? It demands something bigger. Bolder.

Jhoan Durán is the answer.

And the Dodgers just got desperate enough to prove it.