NY Mets rumors: Jhoan Duran trade asking price would require one of these prospects

As the MLB trade deadline draws nearer, the New York Mets find themselves amidst a swirling wheel of rumors, particularly concerning bullpen reinforcements. One name that has consistently emerged at the forefront of discussions is Minnesota Twins flamethrower Jhoan Duran, a reliever coveted by many contenders.

However, recent reports from insider Bob Nightengale have shed light on the Twins' incredibly steep asking price, indicating they are seeking a return comparable to Philadelphia Phillies' prized pitching prospect, Andrew Painter. Such a demand places the Mets in a precarious position, as acquiring an elite arm like Duran would almost certainly necessitate sacrificing one of their own most valuable young pitchers from a blossoming farm system.

Is Jhoan Duran worth the Mets mortgaging their future top arms?

To acquire Duran, the Mets would realistically have to offer up one of their top pitching prospects, Jonah Tong or Nolan McLean. Both right-handers have seen their stock soar this season, recently earning significant jumps in the MLB Pipeline Top 100 rankings, with Tong now at 52nd and McLean at 64th. Within the Mets' system, they rank as the second and third overall prospects, respectively, highlighting their immense potential.

Duran’s performance certainly justifies a high asking price. This season, the 27-year-old boasts an ERA of around 2.00 with 16 saves in 49.1 innings, showing a ratio of 9.70 K/9. Statcast data underscores his elite stuff, with his fastball velocity averaging 100.5 mph, placing him in the 100th percentile across MLB.

He also ranks in the 99th percentile for ground ball percentage, 98th in barrel percentage, and 86th in whiff percentage, showcasing his ability to miss bats and induce weak contact. His impressive xERA of 2.70 further reinforces his underlying dominance. These numbers paint the picture of a truly elite reliever, one of the most dominant arms in baseball.

Conversely, the Mets' young hurlers have been making waves in the minor leagues. Jonah Tong, pitching for the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies, has been outstanding in 2025, posting a sparkling 1.72 ERA over 89.0 innings, showing an impressive 14.0 K/9. Nolan McLean has also impressed, splitting his time between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. In 18 appearances (15 starts) this season, he holds a combined 7-5 record with a 2.57 ERA, 107 strikeouts, and a 1.15 WHIP over 98.0 innings.

While Duran is undoubtedly a premier bullpen arm and perhaps the most sought-after closer on the trade market, the cost of acquiring him appears to be excessively high for the New York Mets. Sacrificing either Tong or McLean, two highly-regarded pitching prospects with front-of-the-rotation potential, to secure a player in the volatile relief pitching role, seems an ill-advised strategy.

Moreover, the Mets already possess one of baseball's best closers in Edwin Diaz, who has been dominant in 2025 with a 5-0 record, a 1.48 ERA, 23 saves, 64 strikeouts in 42.2 innings, and a 0.89 WHIP. The team's immediate bullpen needs can likely be addressed by focusing on cheaper, high-upside options available on the market, such as Camilo Doval, Seth Halvorsen, or Jake Bird, who would require a less significant prospect outlay. The Mets' long-term vision should prioritize retaining their top young talent to build a sustainable contender for years to come.