The Philadelphia Phillies are dealing with some bullpen issues that could shape their trade deadline approach. After losing three straight games and falling out of first place in the NL East, they’re looking at ways to shore up their relief corps.
Sure, the Phillies are still 47-34 and leading the Wild Card race. But they’re operating without Jose Alvarado, who’s serving an 80-game suspension for PED use and won’t be eligible for the postseason.
That’s where Minnesota’s Jhoan Duran enters the picture.
Sports Illustrated’s Nick Selbe flagged the Twins closer as a trade candidate and suggested Philadelphia as a potential landing spot. It’s not hard to see why.
“Duran has taken his game to new heights in his fourth big-league season, blowing hitters away with a four-seamer that sits 100.4 mph and a devastating knuckle curve that’s generated a 42.6% whiff rate. He’s posted a staggering 71.7% ground ball rate and is yet to allow a home run.”
The numbers back it up. Duran’s 4-3 with a 1.73 ERA in 38 appearances this season, collecting 11 saves for Minnesota. Last year, he notched 23 saves with a 3.64 ERA.
What makes this interesting is the fit. The Phillies could slot Duran into the closer role and bump Jordan Romano back to setup duty. That would effectively replace what they’ve lost with Alvarado’s absence.
The bullpen struggles aren’t just about the suspension, either. Losing Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez in free agency left some holes that haven’t been filled adequately.
From the Twins’ perspective, if they fall out of contention, Duran could bring back a significant return. A closer throwing 100-plus with that kind of knuckle curve doesn’t hit the market often.
For Philadelphia, adding someone like Duran could be the difference between getting back ahead of the New York Mets in the division and settling for a Wild Card spot. They’re looking at their second consecutive division title, but the bullpen needs to hold up.
The trade deadline’s still a few weeks away, but it’ll be worth watching how the Phillies approach their relief pitching needs. Duran represents the kind of impact arm that could change their October outlook.
