Phillies Reportedly Acquire Major Bullpen Target From Twins Before Deadline

The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly acquired closing pitcher Jhoan Durán from the Minnesota Twins ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Phillies reportedly are sending a pair of players in return for Durán, including former first-round pick Mick Abel.

Durán is one of the league’s few lockdown closers, and the Phillies, who are looking to capture the National League East for the second straight season, just got stronger. The right-hander has saved 20 or more games in both of the last two seasons and is on his way to reach that mark once again this year.

Durán is taking his 2.01 ERA to Philadelphia along with a strikeouts-per-nine-innings nearing 10. The right-hander has seen a rise in his walk rate but has only allowed one home run all season.

Durán is under team control until 2028 and is looking to continue his scoreless postseason career this October and beyond in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Twins don’t come out empty-handed; they land Abel in return, who is a former first-round pick and has pitched in six games for the Phillies this season. Abel was expected to compete for a roster spot in the past, but was sidelined with injury, delaying his arrival.

Minnesota is also gaining the Phillies’ No. 4 prospect, Eduardo Tait, and while in Class-A right now, he projects to have massive power behind the plate. The market is set with Durán heading to Philadelphia, and now teams with attractive relievers should be acting with the price sky high.

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