In a move signaling their all-in mentality, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired flamethrowing closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, addressing their most glaring weakness: the bullpen.
The cost was steep. Minnesota will receive top-100 prospect Eduardo Tait and promising rookie pitcher Mick Abel, two of the Phillies’ most highly touted young players. But for Phillies President Dave Dombrowski, the risk is justified.
“We got a dominant closer for a tough price,” Dombrowski said. “But with where we are, it makes sense.”
Duran, 27, boasts a fastball averaging 100.2 mph and a devastating curveball—an arsenal that places him among MLB’s most feared relievers. He’s under team control through 2027, making him a long-term asset rather than a rental.
The Phillies’ bullpen has been shaky all season, with 16 blown saves and no clear closer. Jordan Romano has underperformed, and Jose Alvarado—currently suspended for PED use—won’t be playoff-eligible. Duran’s arrival aims to stabilize late innings as Philadelphia chases the NL East title.
Veteran Kyle Schwarber echoed team sentiment: “Moves like this show us they’re serious about winning now.”
With the postseason push heating up, Duran could be the difference between a deep playoff run and another early exit.
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