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Phillies Trade Pitch Lands Star Twins Closer in Blockbuster Deal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Apr 9, 2025 2:04 PM ET

The 2025 season for the Philadelphia Phillies is an important one. With veterans on expiring deals, and young players getting close to new contracts, the Phillies window to compete is closing.

To make use of their window, this trade pitch has the Phillies making a blockbuster deal with the Minnesota Twins for their star closer.

This trade pitch has the Phillies and Twins making a blockbuster deal, sending Jhoan Durán to the Phillies for multiple top-30 prospects. It's a massive shakeup for the Twins and Phillies, as both teams are heading in different directions.

Durán will play in his fourth MLB season in 2025, and through four games, he has a 2.70 ERA and four strikeouts. While Durán has never been named an All-Star, the start to his career has been incredibly impressive.

His rookie season saw Durán throw 67 and two-thirds innings with a 1.86 ERA. He had eight saves and 89 strikeouts. He didn't earn any awards for his rookie season, but his presence was immediately made on the league.

While he took a minor step back in 2023, Durán was impressive once again, throwing 62 and one-third innings pitched at a 2.45 ERA. He also had 27 saves, and finished with 84 strikeouts.

In 2024, Durán took another minor step back, finishing with a 3.64 ERA in 54 and one-third innings pitched. The slow, but steady decline in play from his rookie season until now might give pause for the Twins, and could open the door to the Phillies jumping in with an offer.

Bringing in Durán, who has two more years of control after 2025, would be a monumental addition for the Phillies to make. It would perfectly round out the bullpen, and make a strength even better.

After the departure of Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez, the Phillies needed another right-handed reliever. Jordan Romano was supposed to be the replacement, but he's gotten off to a terrible start in Philadelphia.

Adding Durán to the bullpen would bring in another right-handed reliever, and one who could be the Phillies closer in 2025. A bullpen led by Jose Alvarado, Matt Strahm, and Durán would be one of the best in MLB.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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