Phillies Bolster Bullpen with Jhoan Duran Trade

The Philadelphia Phillies have secured hard-throwing closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins in a trade finalized Wednesday, aiming to strengthen their bullpen ahead of the trade deadline.

In exchange, the Phillies will send catching prospect Eduardo Tait and starting pitcher Mick Abel to Minnesota, marking a significant move for both teams.

Duran, 27, emerged as a top target among relievers prior to the impending trade deadline, which is set for 6 p.m. Thursday.

Equipped with a four-pitch repertoire, Duran features a split-finger fastball, four-seam fastball, curveball, and sweeper. His split-finger fastball, averaging an impressive 97.5 mph, serves as his primary weapon, while his four-seam fastball reaches an average of 100.2 mph, according to Statcast.

This season, Duran has made 49 appearances, boasting a 2.01 ERA alongside 16 saves and a 1.18 WHIP, complemented by 53 strikeouts.

Financially, Duran is set to earn $4.125 million in 2025 and remains under team control through arbitration until the end of the 2027 season, as reported by Spotrac.

In the 2023 playoffs, Duran showcased his skills in four games, pitching five innings with six strikeouts, two saves, and allowing just two hits.

Addressing their bullpen was a top priority for Philadelphia as they approached the trade deadline. With a bullpen ERA of 4.31 ranking them in the lower half of the league, acquiring Duran is seen as a crucial step forward.

Joining a bullpen that already includes Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering, Duran adds depth following the suspension of José Alvarado for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Alvarado is expected to return in late August but will be ineligible for postseason play.

Eduardo Tait was previously ranked as Philadelphia's No. 4 prospect, trailing only Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, and Justin Crawford.

Mick Abel, ranked No. 6 among Phillies prospects, made his debut in the 2025 season and demonstrated potential as a capable starter with a 5.04 ERA over six games, achieving a 2-2 record with a 1.36 WHIP and 21 strikeouts.