Twins close to trading star closer Jhoan Duran to Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for top prospects Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel
The Twins are on the verge of trading star closer Jhoan Duran to the Philadelphia Phillies, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Duran is under team control through 2027.
BREAKING: Phillies close to acquiring Jhoan Duran from Twins, sources tell @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2025
The Twins will receive catcher Eduardo Tait and right-handed pitcher Mick Abel in exchange for Duran, according to The Athletic's Jayson Stark. Tait ranks as the Phillies' No. 4 prospect, and Abel is their No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
Hearing the Twins will be getting Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait from the Phillies in this deal if finalized
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 30, 2025
Duran is arguably one of the best bullpen arms in all of baseball. While being worth 2.3 bWAR, Duran has managed a 2.01 ERA with 16 saves, 53 strikeouts and 18 walks in 49 ⅓ innings over 49 games this season. Since making his MLB debut in 2022, Duran has posted a 2.47 ERA with 74 saves, 292 strikeouts and 74 walks.
Tait gives the Twins' needed catching depth, as Ryan Jeffers is under team control through 2026 and Christian Vazquez is an impending free agent. Across Low-A and High-A this season, Tait, 18, is slashing .255/.319/.434 with 11 homers and 57 RBIs. Since 2023, Tait has hit .288/.349/.470 in the minor leagues. Tait's scouting report suggests he needs to improve his defense to be successful as a catcher in the big leagues, but he has a solid arm and potential behind the plate.
Abel, 23, gives the Twins more options for their starting rotation in the future. He has a 2.31 ERA in 71 innings this season in Triple-A, and has a 5.01 ERA in six major league starts this year. He uses his mid-90s fastball nearly half the time, and uses his curveball 22.5% of the time. He can also throw a slider, a sinker and a changeup.
Now that Duran and Chris Paddack have been dealt, more Twins will likely be traded before Thursday's 5 p.m. CT deadline. Among the players expected to be traded are Harrison Bader, Willi Castro and Danny Coulombe. Griffin Jax might be moved as well.