Phillies Land Elite Closer Jhoan Duran in Blockbuster With Twins

By Oliver Wiener August 04, 2025 12:56

The Philadelphia Phillies shook up the 2025 MLB trade deadline by landing elite closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins in a blockbuster move designed to propel their playoff push. This trade, officially completed on July 31, sends a clear message about the Phillies’ intent to secure a dominant bullpen arm as they aim to make a deep postseason run.

Jhoan Duran, 27, has established himself as one of the most formidable closers in baseball since his MLB debut in 2022. Known for an overpowering fastball reaching up to 101 mph and a devastating splitter-sinker hybrid, Duran has accumulated 74 career saves, including 16 saves and a sparkling 2.01 ERA this season, solidifying his status as a shutdown relief ace. Importantly for Philadelphia, Duran remains under team control through the 2027 season, making him a valuable long-term asset in addition to an immediate impact contributor.

The Phillies acquired Duran by sending two highly regarded prospects to the Twins: 18-year-old catcher Eduardo Tait (ranked No. 52 among MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects) and right-handed pitcher Mick Abel (No. 92 on the same list). Tait, a left-handed hitter with a promising bat, has a minor league batting average around .251 with 11 home runs this season, while Abel is viewed as a big-league-ready starter with a 2.31 ERA at Triple-A and a pedigree as a 15th overall draft pick in 2020. Although the Twins are accelerating their youth movement by acquiring these young talents, many analysts felt the Phillies secured the superior bullpen piece needed for their championship aspirations.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski highlighted the strategic nature of the trade, stating, “We recognized the need to fortify our bullpen, especially with Jose Alvarado currently suspended and Jordan Romano struggling to fill the closer role. Landing Jhoan gives us a reliable elite arm to close out games as we push for October success.” Manager Rob Thomson praised Duran’s professionalism and makeup, noting, “His attitude and willingness to take on whatever role are exactly what this clubhouse needs. He’s a winner who’ll thrive in high-leverage moments.”

The timing of the trade was dramatic. Duran joined the Phillies late at night via team plane, reconnecting with teammates and staff in an emotionally charged arrival that lifted the clubhouse’s spirits amid recent challenges. His presence immediately upgrades a bullpen that ranked among the league’s worst before the deadline, shifting the Phillies’ late-inning outlook from a question mark to a strength.

Statistically, Duran’s elite strikeout rates and sub-2.10 ERA underpin the Phillies’ bullpen recalibration. Philadelphia ranked near the bottom in saves and bullpen ERA heading into the deadline. Doran’s addition allows the team to strategically deploy other relievers such as Heath Hembree and Matt Strahm in setup roles, while confidently handing the ninth inning to Duran.

While the Twins lose a top closer under control for multiple years, they acquired valuable young talent that bolsters their rebuilding timeline. Catcher Eduardo Tait offers intriguing offensive upside, and Mick Abel provides immediate rotation depth with upside as a starter. This trade speaks to contrasting organizational goals: Phillies’ present contention versus Twins’ future building.

In summary, the Phillies’ acquisition of Jhoan Duran in exchange for Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel represents a decisive move to address bullpen shortcomings and chase a championship in 2025. Duran’s dominant arsenal and contract control make him one of the most coveted closers available, and his arrival boosts the Phillies’ playoff prospects significantly. With Dombrowski and Thomson expressing confidence in this addition, Philadelphia’s bullpen looks poised to transform from vulnerability to strength as the postseason approaches.