MLB Insider Delivers Strong Take on Phillies Landing Twins Closer Jhoan Duran

MLB Insider Delivers Strong Take on Phillies Landing Twins Closer Jhoan Duran originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired Minnesota Twins' closer Jhoan Duran in exchange for two prospects, according to Ken Rosenthal. The Phillies' biggest hole was the closer role, and now Philadelphia has solved that issue.

After losing closer Jose Alvarado early in the season, the Phillies have been looking to fill the void all year. Offseason addition Jordan Romano had severely struggled and lost his role in the back-end of the bullpen, and the Phillies have leaned on six other relievers to collect saves throughout the season.

Now, Philadelphia gets its lockdown closer from the Twins a day before the 2025 MLB trade deadline. MLB Network's Jon Morosi likes the trade even though the Phillies gave up two talented prospects.

Breaking: The Philadelphia Phillies are finalizing a deal to acquire closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins for two top prospects, sources tell @JeffPassan.

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"I like this trade too, because for the Phillies, they're addressing the need. We talked about this in the break, the bullpen has been the reason why it was the Diamondbacks and not the Phillies representing the National League in the World Series a couple years ago," Morosi said.

"The bullpen has been an issue for them. Remember, there's no Jose Alvarado for them in the postseason either. This is their biggest weakness and Dave Dombrowski, who one day will be in Cooperstown, it's because of days like this. He is not afraid to make a big deal."

Dombrowski made the big deal, and the Phillies will send two of their top six prospects to the Twins. Phillies' No. 4 prospect, top catching prospect, Eduardo Tait, and No. 6 prospect Mick Abel will head to Minnesota.

"The price on relievers is quite high. This is a seller's market right now," Morosi said. "Eduardo Tate, really toolsy catcher, a left handed hitting catcher who has shown he can perform in the minor leagues at only 18 years of age from Panama, really promising young catcher/DH."

Tait was having a solid season in the Phillies' minor leagues, batting .255 on the year with a .753 OPS. He has 11 home runs and 57 RBI on the season. Tait signed with the Phillies in 2023 and hit over .300 in his first two years before moving up in the minor league system.

Abel has major league experience after joining the Phillies and making five starts. The young pitcher showed promise, but got roughed up in his last couple outings with the Phillies. He pitched 25 innings and held a 5.04 ERA. However, in 13 starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the 23-year-old held 2.31 ERA with 81 strikeouts across 74 innings.

The Phillies pay a price, giving up two of their top six prospects, but they hold on to their top prospect, Andrew Painter.

Duran has had an outstanding season for the Twins. He has a 2.01 ERA with 16 saves and has collected 53 strikeouts across 49.1 innings pitched. Duran has two more years of arbitration, which means he's under team control through 2027.

The Phillies make their biggest move yet, and acquire one of the best arms available to lock down the back-end of their bullpen and prepare for a postseason run.

"The Phillies believe they can win the World Series," Morosi added.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 31, 2025, where it first appeared.