Dodgers Miss Out on Key Deadline Pickup in Major NL Rival Swap

A lot of the excitement before the 2025 MLB trading period focused on the Minnesota Twins' plans for their relief pitching staff. Central to the rumors was closer Jhoan Duran. The Los Angeles Dodgers numerous teams were vying for his services, but ultimately, the Philadelphia Phillies made the move—acquiring a powerful reliever at a high cost.

Phillies Acquire Top Pitcher: Duran Moves to Philadelphia

As per information from ESPN’s Jeff Passan and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies are set to acquire Duran from Minnesota in return for elite prospects Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait. Each of them is listed among MLB Pipeline's Top 100 rankings, with Abel placed at number six and Tait at four within the Phillies' organization.

Duran, aged 27, stands out as one of the most exciting relief pitchers in baseball. Heading into the trade deadline, he has an ERA of 2.01, recorded 16 saves, and maintains a WHIP of 1.17 over 49.1 innings pitched. His fastball averages 100.2 mph, which is the highest in Major League Baseball, and his splitter and curveball have consistently generated swings and misses throughout the season.

In Philadelphia, this is a significant strategic decision. With Jose Alvarado banned from the playoffs because of a performance-enhancing drug infraction, Duran steps into a critical role in the ninth inning for a team only half a game behind in the National League East.

Dodgers Fail to Secure Duran Despite Significant Enthusiasm

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The news is tough for the Dodgers. According to Rosenthal, Los Angeles was "involved" in talks with Minnesota regarding Duran and other relief pitchers but ended up losing out due to higher bids. The team had been closely associated with Duran for some time and was one of many teams—such as the Yankees, Mariners, Red Sox, and Phillies—that were vying for his services before Thursday's cutoff date.

The Dodgers were said to have watched Daniel Robertson's throwing event prior to his agreement with the Phillies and considered several Minnesota Twins relief pitchers. However, once the Giants established a significant benchmark by acquiring Tyler Rogers from the Mets in exchange for a reliever and two of their top 15 prospects, it became evident that obtaining premier bullpen assistance would come at a costly price.

In the end, Andrew Friedman and the management team were either unwilling to cover the extra cost or just unable to equal the deal Philadelphia was ready to provide.

Twin Brothers Take Action, Rearrange the Pitching Staff

By addressing Duran, the Twins chose a path forward. They still have influence over other pitchers—including set-up reliever Griffin Jax, who has also attracted attention. Jax mentioned earlier this week that he would prefer to stay in Minnesota but recognized that a trade could happen.

After Duran emotionally hugged a bullpen catcher on Tuesday evening, rumors began to spread. Within just 24 hours, he had left.

The Dodgers Are Rushing to Implement Backup Strategy

With Duran out of contention, the Dodgers will need to adjust swiftly. They're still anticipated to acquire at least one key relief pitcher prior to the trade deadline, yet available choices are becoming fewer. Griffin Jax from Minnesota is probably not an option anymore since the Twins have moved on from Duran. David Bednar of the Pirates and Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals remain under consideration, along with several others.

Nevertheless, missing out on Duran—an individual with a flamethrower who remains under team control until 2027—is painful. He wasn't merely an addition to the bullpen; he was more than that. the top division of Deadline.

What Lies Ahead for Los Angeles?

Friedman might yet secure a trade, but as time goes on, his advantage diminishes. The Phillies' signing of Duran conveys an unmistakable signal to the National League: they aren’t standing idle. For the Dodgers to remain competitive, especially considering their bullpen’s ongoing struggles, they must act quickly—and without hesitation.

The window is closing, and the front office is aware of it. They have evaluated almost all top-tier relief pitching options. Now they must make a move before everyone else acts.

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