The Philadelphia Phillies addressed their bullpen concerns last season by acquiring Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins, and the hard-throwing reliever has been outstanding since arriving in Philadelphia.
While Duran’s presence has eliminated the club’s urgent need for a closer, trade speculation continues as the 2026 MLB deadline approaches.
According to ESPN insiders Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel, the Phillies are among several teams viewed as potential landing spots for Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman, who owns a remarkable 0.44 ERA and is considered one of the most likely trade candidates this season.
At first glance, a Chapman trade may seem unnecessary given Duran’s role as Philadelphia’s ninth-inning anchor.
However, adding the veteran left-hander would give the Phillies another elite late-game weapon, creating a dominant bullpen combination capable of locking down both the eighth and ninth innings.
With starters Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, and Jesus Luzardo consistently pitching deep into games, Philadelphia could further strengthen its run-prevention strategy by pairing Chapman with Duran.
Injuries and inconsistent performances from other bullpen arms have left room for another dependable high-leverage reliever.
Although the Phillies may ultimately prioritize upgrading their outfield before the deadline, the possibility of acquiring Chapman remains an intriguing option.
A bullpen featuring both Chapman and Duran could become one of baseball’s most formidable late-game duos and significantly boost Philadelphia’s championship aspirations.
