It’s no secret the Philadelphia Phillies are in search of further upgrades for their embattled bullpen.
So that’s why David Schoenfield of ESPN suggested the Phillies go out and trade for Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran ahead of Thursday’s MLB Trade Deadline at 6 p.m. ET.
Duran is 5-4 with a 1.90 ERA with 16 saves in 47 appearances. He has a 52-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio and has been especially lights-out of late, allowing just three runs and boasting a 12-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio and six saves in his past 12 innings.
Why Should The Phillies Trade For Jhoan Duran?
The Phillies’ bullpen struggles are well documented, even though they have improved slightly over the past month. Philadelphia still ranks 20th in bullpen ERA (4.22) and are tied for the sixth-most blown saves in MLB (17).
“The Phillies already made a move here, signing free agent David Robertson, who had a 3.00 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 72 innings last season with the Rangers,” Schoenfield wrote. “On paper, he should help, but he’s also 40 and will need a few games in the minors to get ready. Even with Robertson, the Phillies could use some more help here.”
There are further reinforcements coming, since reliever Jose Alvarado will be back from his 80-game PED suspension in mid-August, though he will not be eligible to pitch in the postseason.
Still, with the way former-closer Jordan Romano has pitched, and the lack of an experienced reliever at locking down games, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski would be wise to target Duran, according to Schoenfield.
“A shutdown closer is a must,” Schoenfield wrote. “The guy Dave Dombrowski should go all-in to get: Duran. The window for the Phillies is slowly closing as the core players get older. Duran is under control through 2027, so he’s a fit for now and the immediate future. The trade cost might be painful, but with his 100 mph fastball and splitter, he has the elite stuff you need in October.”
Who Else Should The Phillies Trade For?
Many contending teams have less-specific needs than the Phillies. But even though the Phillies’ needs are glaring, they are relatively easy to fix, per Schoenfield, who is also urging the Phils to trade for Willi Castro and Ryan O’Hearn.
O’Hearn would bolster the Phillies’ corner-outfield spots, specifically left field — Phillies left fielders rank 25th in slugging percentage (.348) and 24th in wRC+ (83) this season. He was an All-Star this season and leads all Baltimore Orioles regulars with a .375 on-base percentage.
“The Phillies have received below-average production from both left field (mostly Max Kepler) and center field (Brandon Marsh/Johan Rojas platoon),” Schoenfield wrote. “The center-field market is pretty thin except for [Twins center fielder Harrison] Bader or maybe a gamble on [Chicago White Sox outfielder] Luis Robert Jr.
“I’d pass on Robert, stick with the Marsh/Rojas platoon and upgrade left field with O’Hearn, who is hitting .281/.375/.452 for the Orioles. He isn’t the perfect fit since, like Kepler, he hits left-handed and struggles against lefties, but he’s a patient hitter with a much better OBP, and he’s passable in the outfield.”
Castro, a 28-year-old utility infielder/outfielder, has an above-average OPS+ of 110 and can play anywhere, boasting a .987 fielding percentage in the outfield and a 1.000 — over 216 2/3 innings — at second base.
“The Phillies have to admit that some of their long-term position players aren’t getting the job done — such as second baseman Bryson Stott, who has a 77 OPS+,” Schoenfield wrote. “That makes Castro a nice fit. He’s not a star, but he’s an above-average hitter, a switch-hitter who plays all over the field for the Twins, having started games at five different positions.
“He could play second or third or start in left field against a lefty. Philadelphia could even start him in center instead of Rojas, although that would be a defensive hit. Bottom line: Castro would give the Phillies a lot more versatility — or a significant offensive upgrade over Stott if they start him every day at second.”
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