The Phillies’ President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski just made the loudest move of the 2025 trade deadline, acquiring electric closer Jhoan Durán from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for two top-100 prospects, RHP Mick Abel and C Eduardo Tait. ESPN’s Jeff Passan was first on the news.
This deal is the kind that shakes up both bullpens and farm systems.
The Price: Painful But Predictable
To get a 27-year-old closer with a 2.01 ERA, a triple-digit fastball, and two more years of club control, the Phillies had to give up real capital. And they did.
- Mick Abel, 23, is MLB-ready and had been viewed as a potential mid-rotation fixture in Philadelphia.
- Eduardo Tait, 18, is a left-handed power bat behind the plate and was widely projected as J.T. Realmuto’s heir apparent.
Both players were top-six in the Phillies’ system per MLB Pipeline. That’s a steep cost—especially for a reliever—but Dombrowski is clearly pushing all the chips in.
The Fit: Durán Stabilizes a Fragile Bullpen
For Philly, this move is all about 2025 October baseball. Durán isn’t just good—he’s dominant. His 53 strikeouts in 49.1 innings come paired with a devastating “splinker”, a 101 mph fastball with split-finger depth that can make even elite hitters look silly.
With José Alvarado suspended (PEDs) and Orion Kerkering forced into closer duties earlier than expected, the Phillies needed a proven late-inning anchor. Durán allows Kerkering to slide into a more natural setup role and gives manager Rob Thomson a true bullpen weapon to match up with elite October lineups.
This isn’t just about innings—it’s about leverage. And Durán is one of the best in the game at slamming doors shut.
The Twins’ Haul: Long-Term Gold
From Minnesota’s side, this is a massive return for a reliever—even one as special as Durán. They get:
- An MLB-ready starter in Abel, who should compete for a rotation spot immediately.
- A high-ceiling teenage catcher in Tait, who adds left-handed pop to a position notoriously thin on offense.
Given the scarcity of premium catching prospects in baseball, Tait’s upside alone could make this deal worth it in the long run. Add Abel’s big-league readiness, and this could become a cornerstone trade for the Twins’ next wave.
Phillies Still Have Moves to Make
Even after sending off two top-100 prospects, Philly still hangs on to Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, and Justin Crawford, preserving the top of their pipeline. But with offensive holes still glaring in the outfield, this can’t be the last move.
The Phillies need another bat—preferably a power-hitting OF or someone like Eugenio Suárez, who could offer versatility and instant impact. That said, after this deal, their bargaining power is noticeably lighter.
This is classic Dombrowski: high-risk, high-reward. Durán is the best reliever to change teams this season, and now he’s wearing red and white. If the Phillies win the World Series, no one will remember the names they gave up.
