CHICAGO — After enduring a lengthy 3-hour, 35-minute rain delay, the atmosphere inside Suite 420 at Rate Field shifted as trade discussions heated up. With the Phillies facing the White Sox in the background, veteran executive Dave Dombrowski gathered about 15 members of his front office.
Dombrowski brought exciting news: the Phillies had secured a deal for hard-throwing closer Jhoan Duran, marking another significant transaction in his impressive career.
“A couple of days ago, I didn’t think this would be possible,” Dombrowski said. The Phillies managed to acquire one of the best available relievers without sacrificing their top prospects. While the costs included noteworthy talents like Eduardo Tait, a top prospect, and Mick Abel, who has mid-rotation starter potential, the Phillies viewed this as a necessary move given their current rotation constraints.
This acquisition not only aimed at immediate success but was also forward-thinking, fulfilling multiple objectives for Dombrowski. The Phillies found themselves needing to bolster their bullpen, especially following José Alvarado’s suspension, and managed to pull off a deal deemed fair or favorable by rival evaluators.
“This guy’s one of the best closers in baseball,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson, emphasizing the improvement in the team’s bullpen. Duran is expected to take on the closer role, supported by setup men Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm, while David Robertson should also add depth when he arrives next week.
Schwarber reflected on a similar situation from 2016 when the Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman, suggesting it would lift the team’s spirits in a comparable way. The addition of Duran sends a clear message to the team about its World Series aspirations, a sentiment echoed by Bryce Harper, who acknowledged past bullpen issues as a key factor in their struggles.
With an eye on championship ambitions, Dombrowski expressed confidence in acquiring Duran without selling the farm. Both Duran’s impressive track record and the potential of younger prospects were pivotal in finalizing this significant trade.
