PHILADELPHIA— “My wife almost cried,” said Jhoan Duran when he learned that Rob Thomson had given up his jersey number 59 to his new closer.
A phone call from Thomson was the start of a new relationship for the Phillies’ skipper. “Hey, I heard you want my number,” is what Duran told the media; his new manager mentioned it in their first conversation. It was a gesture of goodwill from the manager to his player, and for Thomson, he is hopeful that his new closer will help bring a championship to Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Phillies went out and grabbed the best reliever available at the 2025 Major League Baseball trade deadline. Make no mistake about it, they expect Duran to help them win baseball games.
Duran becomes a big splash
By acquiring Duran, an All-Star closer from the Minnesota Twins, the Phillies bolstered their bullpen with a big splash. He will now anchor the back end of the ‘pen, serving as the team’s permanent closer. Thomson typically has managed the bullpen with a committee at the closer position. Now with a star on the roster, the 9th inning is set.
Duran spoke with the media before Friday’s ballgame against the Detroit Tigers. He was made active before the game, ready to start his Phillies tenure. The fireballer told the media that he tried not to think about whether or not he was going to be traded. Much like most of his Minnesota Twins teammates, Duran became a casualty of a full rebuild in the Twin Cities.
Joining the Phillies alongside his teammate Harrison Bader, both former Twins are now in the heart of a division race with their new team. Both players have playoff experience, Bader most recently with the Mets in 2024 and Duran with the Twins in 2023.
Duran pitched in four games during the 2023 playoffs, tossing five scoreless innings and earning two saves. He allowed just two hits and three baserunners overall. That will certainly be welcomed in Philadelphia.
If Friday night’s game calls for it, the Philly faithful will get the first taste of their newest weapon. Time will tell if the trade was worth the price, but luckily for all parties, the next 2.5 seasons of Duran will be fun to witness.
Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
