Much of the buzz leading up to the 2025 MLB trade deadline centered on the Minnesota Twins and the direction they’d take with their bullpen. At the heart of the speculation: closer Jhoan Duran. The Los Angeles Dodgers were among the many teams circling, but in the end, it was the Philadelphia Phillies who closed the deal—adding a dominant late-inning weapon for a steep price.
Phillies Land the Prize Arm: Duran Heads to Philly
According to reports from ESPN’s Jeff Passan and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies are acquiring Duran from Minnesota in exchange for top prospects Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait. Both are ranked within MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, with Abel coming in at No. 6 and Tait at No. 4 in the Phillies’ system.
Duran, 27, is one of baseball’s most electrifying relievers. He enters the deadline with a 2.01 ERA, 16 saves, and a 1.17 WHIP across 49.1 innings. His fastball leads the majors in average velocity (100.2 mph), and his splitter and curveball have been devastating swing-and-miss pitches all season.
For Philadelphia, it’s a massive statement move. With Jose Alvarado suspended and ineligible for the postseason due to a PED violation, Duran fills a gaping void in the ninth inning for a club sitting just a half-game back in the NL East.
Dodgers Strike Out on Duran Despite Strong Interest
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For the Dodgers, the news hits hard. As reported by Rosenthal, Los Angeles was “engaged” with Minnesota on Duran and other bullpen arms but ultimately got outbid. The organization had long been linked to Duran and was among several contenders—including the Yankees, Mariners, Red Sox, and Phillies—pursuing him ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
The Dodgers reportedly attended Daniel Robertson’s throwing showcase before he signed with the Phillies and explored multiple Twins relievers. But after the Giants set a high bar by trading Tyler Rogers to the Mets for a reliever and two top-15 prospects, it was clear the price for elite bullpen help would be steep.
Ultimately, Andrew Friedman and the front office either weren’t willing to pay the premium or simply couldn’t match the package Philly was prepared to offer.
Twins Make Their Move, Reshuffle the Bullpen
By dealing Duran, the Twins picked a direction. They still hold leverage with other arms—namely setup man Griffin Jax, who has drawn interest as well. Jax acknowledged earlier this week he hoped to remain in Minnesota but understood a move was possible.
Following Duran’s emotional embrace with a bullpen catcher on Tuesday night, speculation soared. Less than 24 hours later, he was gone.
Dodgers Now Scrambling for Plan B
With Duran off the table, the Dodgers must pivot quickly. They’re still expected to land at least one high-leverage reliever before the deadline, but the options are dwindling. Minnesota’s Griffin Jax is unlikely to be in play now that the Twins dealt Duran. David Bednar (Pirates) and Ryan Helsley (Cardinals) are also on the radar, among others.
Still, losing out on Duran—a flamethrower under team control through 2027—stings. He wasn’t just a bullpen addition; he was the premium arm of the deadline.
What Comes Next for L.A.?
Friedman may still swing a deal, but with each passing hour, the leverage slips. The Phillies’ acquisition of Duran sends a clear message to the National League: they’re not waiting around. If the Dodgers are to keep pace, particularly with their own bullpen still plagued by inconsistency, they’ll need to move decisively—and soon.
The window is narrowing, and the front office knows it. They’ve scouted nearly every elite bullpen option available. Now they’ll need to act before the rest of the board gets cleared.