The nightmare scenario for Yankees fans has finally come to life. All season long, as the team searched desperately for a reliable closer, hope lingered that this trade deadline would bring the big move they needed. But, just like the previous pursuits of Garrett Crochet, Jack Flaherty, and Corbin Burnes, another opportunity slipped through their fingers, and with it, a new name joined the list of near-misses. And guess what, this time, the Phillies swooped in to make what is, so far, the biggest move of the deadline.
“We will do what we can to try to make [the team] better,” Phillies president Dave Dombrowski said about their trade deadline planning previously, and it looks like they worked as promised. Jhoan Duran is going to the Phillies.
If you remember, the Yankees had lost Seth Lugo to the Royals a few days ago after pursuing him, and now they have lost another closer. And that is when their bullpen is struggling with a 4.25 ERA this season.
“The Twins and Phillies deal is agreed upon. Right-hander Mick Abel and catcher Eduardo Tait are going to Minnesota for closer Jhoan Duran, sources tell ESPN,” MLB insider Jeff Passan wrote on X, confirming the Duran deal.
The Twins and Phillies deal is agreed upon. Right-hander Mick Abel and catcher Eduardo Tait are going to Minnesota for closer Jhoan Duran, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2025
Reportedly, the Twins are shaking things up in a big way, sending Duran to the Phillies in exchange for two highly regarded prospects—22-year-old pitcher Mick Abel and 18-year-old catcher Eduardo Tait, both ranked among MLB’s top 100 prospects.
There’s a reason for the suitors’ interest in Duran. He has been going lights-out this season, posting a 2.01 ERA with a 6-4 record and converting 16 of 18 save opportunities. His final appearance for the Twins came on Monday against the Red Sox. And he gave up a run in the ninth to blow the save, but ended up getting the win when the offense bailed him out in the bottom half.
So, eventually, the Phillies are landing a proven bullpen weapon, which they were in urgent need of after Jose Alvarado was sidelined with a suspension. On the other hand, the Twins get two promising young pieces. While Abel is MLB’s No. 95 prospect, Tait checks in at No. 56. So, it’s a win-win for both sides.
The Phillies, however, might not be done yet…
More to come with the Phillies
“I expect Dave Dombrowski to be aggressive at this deadline,” MLB insider Robert Murray predicted about Dombrowski a few days ago, and it seems like it’s coming true. After landing Duran, the Phillies are now rumored to have their sights set on Griffin Jax. If the buzz is true, Philadelphia could send second-base prospect Aroon Escobar to Minnesota to get the deal done.
Well, for the Phillies, the appeal is pretty straightforward: locking down two elite, controllable arms for the late innings. While Duran immediately steps in as their go-to closer, Jax would give them one of the best setup men in the game. That combo takes a lot of pressure off young Orion Kerkering and reliable Matt Strahm. And it may offer the Phillies four top-tier options to mix and match in the biggest moments.
The next rumored name is Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox! Robert hasn’t exactly set the stage ablaze in the past two seasons. And with only 11 home runs so far this year, he is not having a great time at the plate this season either. However, he’s an elite defender, a premium base runner, and he’s still under a team-friendly contract for the next few years. So, that’s a nice layer of insurance for the Phillires.
With just a few hours left for now, the Phillies have made their move, and they have a few more to come. For the Yankees, though, we will have to see if they have any surprises left for the last moment.
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