The Fire Sale Is Official: Twins Trade Correa, Duran in Deadline Teardown

• The Minnesota Twins traded superstar shortstop Carlos Correa to the Houston Astros.
• Closer Jhoan Duran was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies for top prospects.
• Outfielder Harrison Bader was also traded to the Phillies.
• The moves signal a full-scale franchise rebuild for the Twins.
• All trades were executed just before the 2025 MLB trade deadline.

It's over. The era of contention, hope, and high-priced free agents in Minnesota came to a crashing halt on Thursday. In a move that will define the franchise for years to come, the Twins traded superstar shortstop Carlos Correa back to the Houston Astros, signaling the official start of a massive, gut-wrenching rebuild just hours before the trade deadline.

In a stunning move at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, the Minnesota Twins traded star shortstop Carlos Correa back to the Houston Astros.

Goodbye, C4: The Correa Era Ends

The centerpiece of a frantic day of deals was the one nobody thought possible just a year ago. Carlos Correa is a Houston Astro once more. The trade sends shockwaves through a fanbase that had embraced the shortstop as the face of the franchise. While the full return is not yet public, the move confirms what many feared: with the team well below .500 and out of contention, the front office has opted to tear it down and start over, cashing in their biggest asset for a haul of future talent.

The Floodgates Open: Duran, Bader, and More Shipped Out

Correa wasn't the only big name heading out of town. The front office was relentless, executing a flurry of trades to bolster a depleted farm system. Closer Jhoan Duran was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies for top prospects, catcher Eduardo Tait and pitcher Mick Abel. Outfielder Harrison Bader was also sent to the Phillies for outfielder Hendry Mendez and pitcher Geremy Villoria. The sell-off continued with relievers Brock Stewart (to the Dodgers for OF James Outman) and Danny Coulombe (to the Rangers for LHP Garrett Horn). This followed the earlier trade of Chris Paddack to Detroit for catching prospect Enrique Jimenez, making it clear that accumulating young, controllable talent is now the team's only priority.

Salt in the Wound: Red Sox Rout Twins 13-1

As if the off-field news wasn't painful enough, the on-field product provided a grim reflection of the team's state. The Twins were demolished 13-1 by the Boston Red Sox in the series finale at Target Field. A solo home run from Matt Wallner in the second inning was the only moment of reprieve in a game dominated by Boston. Starter Zack Matthews was hit hard, and the bullpen, now missing several key arms, completely imploded, allowing seven runs in the final two innings to seal the blowout loss.

A New Direction: What Comes Next?

With the deadline passed, the new reality has set in. The Twins have lost three consecutive series since the All-Star break, and their team ERA sits at a bloated 4.29, one of the worst in baseball. With the departure of so many veterans, the clubhouse now belongs to the youth and the few remaining mainstays, led by Byron Buxton. The recent call-up of Noah Davis for Pierson Ohl is a small example of what's to come: a constant churn of young players getting a chance to prove themselves at the major league level.

The rest of 2025 is going to be tough to watch. The wins will be few and far between, but the focus has shifted. It’s no longer about the standings, but about the box scores from St. Paul, Wichita, and Fort Myers. The Twins have chosen their path, and for better or for worse, the long road of a rebuild has officially begun.