Live updates: Phillies trade news, updates and rumors as MLB trade deadline arrives

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2 days ago

Despite their lofty perch in the National League East, the Phillies have needs.
They began to address them in a major way when, about 24 hours before the 6 p.m. EDT July 31 trade deadline, the Phillies obtained hard-throwing reliever Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins on July 30.
The price was steep, but likely necessary. It also certainly ranks as the biggest midseason swap made by long-time wheeler-dealer Dave Dombrowski since becoming the Phillies' president of baseball operations before the 2021 season.
Are the Phillies' done?
Today will tell, as improving an outfield that is among the worst in the majors offensively could also fuel more dealing.
In exchange for Duran, the Twins received pitcher Mick Abel, now at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and High-A Jersey Shore catcher Eduardo Tait. Tait is fourth and Abel sixth on MLB.com's ranking of Phillies prospects.
NO DEAL: If Phillies weigh trading prospects they can't repeat these mishaps
Abel was 2-2 with a 5.04 ERA in six starts with the Phillies this season.
While they're good enough to compete for a division title and playoff berth, improving the roster -- the bullpen specifically -- has been expected for the Phillies to have a better shot at the third World Series title in their long history.
July 31 is the final day that can happen, as Major League Baseball's trade deadline annually elicits a flurry of deals as stronger teams try to get better and those with lesser playoff hopes aim to rebuild for the future.
Reliever Jose Alvarado will soon return to the Phillies' bullpen from his 80-day PED suspension but cannot pitch in the postseason. The Phillies also recently signed David Robertson for his third bullpen stint with the team. He is now pitching for Lehigh Valley before a likely Aug. 5 promotion.
Other possible bullpen targets, according to various reports and the speculation that underscores every trade deadline, had included David Bednar of the Pirates, Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals, Griffin Jax of the Twins and Mason Miller of the Athletics.
Helsley is reportedly being dealt to the Mets, who've been regularly swapping first place with the Phillies in the National League East lately in a division title battle that will likely extend to late September.
With other teams also in the need for relief help, there was likely significant competition for the Phillies, which is why they needed to part with two top prospects.
Contact Kevin Tresolini at [e-mail] and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Phillies at MLB trade deadline 2025: Live updates, news and rumors