World Series contender steals Dodgers' target in blockbuster Jhoan Duran trade

Andrew Friedman desperately didn't want to trade for a reliever at the deadline, but the Dodgers entered the week of the deadline needing to buy one or two, or maybe even more. Because the Dodgers are the Dodgers, LA has reportedly had their eyes on basically every elite bullpen arm who might be available, including and especially the Twins' Jhoan Duran.

After the Giants traded Tyler Rogers to the Mets for a reliever and two top-15 prospects on Wednesday, Dodgers fans knew that whatever Friedman was going to be forced to give up for Duran (or any of the others, for that matter) would be exorbitant.

On Wednesday, just a few hours after the Rogers trade, Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reported that the Phillies were "close" to beating out the Dodgers in the Duran sweepstakes. Either LA was unwilling to pay what has to be a massive haul in return or what the Phillies offered just couldn't be beaten.

The Dodgers have pivot options. Minnesota's Griffin Jax, though not a closer, could still be available, along with David Bednar and Ryan Helsley. Still, Duran was by far the best option, and losing him to another contender is a huge blow.

Dodgers lose out on the elite closer they needed as Phillies trade with Twins for Jhoan Duran

Duran has a 2.01 ERA and 16 saves in 49 1/3 innings in Minnesota. His fastball has the highest average velocity of anyone in baseball at 100.2 MPH, and his splitter and knuckle curves have been basically unhittable this year.

The Phillies have been in need of a real closer ever since Jose Alvarado was suspended for PED usage in May, which will also disqualify him for the postseason. Through Tuesday, Philadelphia was just half a game behind the Mets for first place in the NL East and could surge ahead or at least keep pace with Duran at the back of the bullpen.

Per Bob Nightengale, the Phillies are sending Nos. 4 and 6 prospects (both also rank in MLB Pipeline's top 100 overall) Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel in the return. Duran has two years of arbitration eligibility left, but it's still a massive price to pay for a single reliever. The Phillies are making a statement with this trade: they're really in business now. The Dodgers front office is going to have to scramble to land any one of the others as they start to come off the board quickly.