Twins Closer Jhoan Duran Nears Blockbuster Trade to Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies Near Blockbuster Trade for Twins’ Jhoan Duran
By James Cohen
Updated: 23:56 BST, 30 July 2025

The Philadelphia Phillies are finalizing a seismic trade to acquire All-Star closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins, per ESPN reports. In exchange, the Twins will receive Phillies prospects Mick Abel, a right-handed pitcher, and catcher Eduardo Tait.

Duran, 27, is renowned for his blistering fastball and elite closing skills.

Why This Trade Matters
Duran, a 6-foot-5 powerhouse, has dominated MLB with a 2.01 ERA and 16 saves this season. His fastball averages 102.1 mph—the second-fastest in the league—and his “splinker” (splitter-sinker hybrid) has baffled hitters. Across four seasons with Minnesota, he boasts 74 saves, a 2.47 career ERA, and 292 strikeouts.

“This is the biggest move of the deadline so far,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported, emphasizing Duran’s potential to boost Philadelphia’s playoff push. The Phillies, currently leading the NL East, aim to solidify their bullpen for a World Series run.

What Minnesota Gains
The Twins acquire two top prospects:

• Mick Abel (23): A former first-round pick with a high-90s fastball and a 3.45 ERA in Triple-A.
• Eduardo Tait (17): A highly touted international signee with explosive batting potential.

Abel (left) and Tait (right) head to Minnesota in the deal.

Duran’s Impact in Philadelphia
The Phillies’ bullpen has struggled with consistency, ranking 15th in ERA (4.11). Duran’s arrival provides a lockdown ninth-inning option, pairing with José Alvarado and Jeff Hoffman for a formidable late-game trio. His contract—under team control through 2027—adds long-term value.

Twins’ Strategy
Minnesota, six games back in the AL Central, pivots to rebuild mode. Trading Duran accelerates their youth movement, aligning with their focus on 2026-27 contention. Abel could join the rotation by 2026, while Tait offers future lineup upside.

Fan Reactions
Phillies supporters celebrated the news on social media, while Twins fans expressed mixed emotions. “Trading Duran hurts, but Abel and Tait are studs,” one Minnesota fan tweeted.

The deal is expected to be finalized ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.