Phillies Acquire Closer Jhoan Duran to Strengthen Bullpen Before MLB Deadline

The Philadelphia Phillies made a significant move ahead of the 2025 MLB trade deadline by acquiring elite closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for pitcher Mick Abel and catching prospect Eduardo Tait. This trade addresses the Phillies' major bullpen weakness, as Duran, known for his triple-digit fastball and dominant relief pitching, brings a 2.47 career ERA, a 100.2 mph average fastball velocity, and a high ground ball rate, anchoring the bullpen through the remainder of the season and beyond. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski emphasized that while the bullpen additions are likely complete, the team remains active in seeking offensive upgrades, with outfielder Luis Robert Jr. among reported targets. Dombrowski's decisive trade has been praised as a bold move to correct a key shortcoming, as the Phillies had struggled with their closer role since losing Jose Alvarado early in the season and seeing Jordan Romano falter. Despite giving up two top prospects, the acquisition of Duran is viewed as a major upgrade and a critical step toward strengthening the Phillies' postseason prospects. Dombrowski's willingness to make impactful midseason deals continues to shape the team's competitive outlook.