On Wednesday night, Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski decided to shake up the baseball world. Just one day before the MLB trade deadline, he acquired closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins. A fantastic move to fill a hole in Philadelphia’s great roster.
Duran is a 27-year-old pitcher who has played his entire four-year career in Minnesota, until now. His elite fastball tops out at over 100mph, and he has the highest average velocity on his splitter. The Twins surely were hesitant to give up such a talent, but the Phillies gave them an offer too good to refuse.
Duran is one of the best closers in the game today, and it is clear to see why. His pitch arsenal is amazing, and he proves it every time he is on the mound. He has 66 saves over the last three seasons as Minnesota’s primary closer. His postseason success cannot go unnoticed either, as he has been great in his small sample size under the bright lights.
The Phillies did not get Duran for cheap. They were forced to give up multiple top 100 prospects. Pitcher Mick Abel and Catcher Eduardo Tait were the players sent to Minnesota. Philadelphia was, however, able to make the move without giving up prized pitcher Andrew Painter.
Abel was expected to be moved at the deadline, as he simply did not fit with the Phillies at this time. He was great at times during his first MLB stint, but struggled mightily at others. Tait was one of the prospects many in Philadelphia viewed as untouchable or at least very close. The young catcher was seen as a potential successor to JT Realmuto if he was able to stick behind the plate.
The Phillies were desperate to acquire a high-leverage reliever at the deadline, and every team knew it. Their lack of experience and ability in the back of their bullpen was showing, and had many fans scared of what may come in October.
The past years have been filled with postseason disappointments from bats going cold and the bullpen deteriorating. Duran offers the Phillies a steady force to call on every time there is a close game in the ninth inning, something they have not had in a very long time.
Duran will slot in nicely as the main closer with Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm, and David Robertson as a solid trio of setup men right ahead of him. The team went from one of the worst bullpens in the league to having it be a serious advantage in the playoffs.
The Phillies needed to address the back end of their bullpen at the deadline, and they did just that. They went out and acquired the best arm available, doing so without giving up Painter. Dombrowski has had his fair share of skeptical moves at previous trade deadlines, but this can’t be compared.
Phillies fans have been begging for the front office to go big and make a move for a superstar talent as the team’s window closes. An electric move that will certainly bring energy and hope to all fans attending the bank in October.
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