In a stunning move ahead of the MLB trade deadline market, the Philadelphia Phillies have pulled off a major coup—landing both Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax from the Minnesota Twins in a blockbuster bullpen upgrade ahead of the trade deadline.
Rumors had been swirling for days, but on Sunday morning, the speculation turned into reality. MLB insider Bob Nightengale confirmed that Philadelphia has completed a deal for the hard-throwing Duran and versatile setup man Jax, instantly bolstering one of the league’s most inconsistent bullpens.
The Phillies had been scouting Minnesota’s relievers heavily, and now it’s clear why—they were planning to strike early and aggressively. The Athletic’s Matt Gelb also reported on the Phillies’ keen interest, and now the front office has made a bold statement in their push for October glory.
The price? According to reports, several top Phillies prospects were in play, potentially including names like Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford, and Mick Abel. While top arm Andrew Painter is believed to be off-limits, Philadelphia’s willingness to deal from a loaded farm system proved decisive.
With the bullpen ERA ranking 23rd in the league, this move could be a game-changer for the Phillies as they make their postseason push. Meanwhile, the Twins—hovering around .500—seem to be eyeing the future, turning two elite relievers into a haul of young talent.
Stay tuned—because the Phillies just fired the first shot of the trade deadline frenzy.
