Twins Trade Closer Jhoan Duran to Phillies for Top Prospects
In a significant move just ahead of the MLB trade deadline, the Minnesota Twins have traded standout closer Jhoan Duran to the Philadelphia Phillies. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Twins will receive catching prospect Eduardo Tait and pitching prospect Mick Abel, both ranked among the Phillies’ top 100 prospects, as part of the deal.
Duran, an elite reliever known for his exceptional fastball that reaches speeds of up to 104.8 mph, is under team control through the 2027 season, which adds considerable value to the trade. His addition to the Phillies’ bullpen comes at a crucial time, as they aim to strengthen their roster while being tied for first place in the National League East.
Prior to the announcement, speculation about Duran’s potential trade heightened when he was seen exchanging farewells in the Minnesota bullpen. However, Passan quickly dispelled the talk at that time. The Phillies, despite having the fewest bullpen innings in MLB, rank 24th in ERA (4.33), indicating a pressing need for improvement in this area. The acquisition of Duran signals a clear strategy from the Phillies to secure a reliable late-game option, especially given the subpar performance of current reliever Jordan Romano.
For the Twins, this trade marks a strategic decision amidst trade talks involving other team assets, including set-up man Griffin Jax and starter Chris Paddack, recently dealt to the Tigers. As the July 31 trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Minnesota’s next moves, particularly regarding ace Joe Ryan, who could potentially command an even greater return than Duran.
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