MLB Trade Deadline Chaos: Phillies Land Star Closer as Mets, Reds, and Yankees Shake Things Up
As the MLB trade deadline barrels toward its Thursday 6 p.m. ET cutoff, the Philadelphia Phillies made serious noise with a blockbuster move—snagging fireball closer Jhoan Durán from the Minnesota Twins. Meanwhile, the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds also made major plays in a frenzy of Wednesday trades that shook up the league.
The 27-year-old Durán, one of the most sought-after arms on the market, boasts a 2.01 ERA, 16 saves, and 53 strikeouts in just over 49 innings this season. To lock him in, the Phillies gave up a hefty package: top prospects catcher Eduardo Tait and right-hander Mick Abel are now heading to Minnesota.
In a bizarre twist of fate, identical twins Tyler and Taylor Rogers were both traded—on the same day. Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley are now Mets, bolstering a bullpen that already features Edwin Díaz as New York chases the Phillies in the tight NL East race.
Rogers, famous for his submarine-style delivery, has dominated this season with a 1.80 ERA, 38 strikeouts, and just four walks across 53 appearances for the Giants. In return, the Mets sent over pitchers José Buttó and Blade Tidwell, plus outfielder Drew Gilbert.
Helsley, a St. Louis Cardinals fixture for the past seven years, has notched 21 saves and a 3.00 ERA this season. To acquire him, the Mets dealt three prospects: infielder Jesus Baez and right-handers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt.
While big names like Mitch Keller (Pirates), Steven Kwan (Guardians), and Eugenio Suárez (Diamondbacks) are still floating on the trade radar, several major moves suggest the market is red-hot leading into deadline day.
The Reds made headlines by grabbing 2023 Gold Glove third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes from the Pirates. In exchange, Pittsburgh gets lefty Taylor Rogers, shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura, and cash. Hayes, 28, is hitting .236 with 2 home runs and 36 RBIs this season. He’s under contract through 2029, with a club option for 2030.
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees made a quieter—but strategic—move, adding outfielder Austin Slater from the White Sox to strengthen their right-handed hitting. Slater, 32, is slashing .236 with five home runs, and boasts an .859 OPS against lefties. The White Sox picked up minor league pitcher Gage Ziehl in return.
Other notable Wednesday trades included:
The Angels adding bullpen depth with Andrew Chafin and Luis García from the Nationals, sending back lefty Jake Eder and first baseman Sam Brown.
The Braves strengthening their bullpen with Tyler Kinley from the Rockies, giving up prospect Austin Smith.
The Mariners acquiring left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson from the Pirates, in exchange for right-hander Jeter Martinez.
Meanwhile, Eugenio Suárez returned to the Diamondbacks’ lineup after a minor finger injury scare. But with Arizona losing eight of their last nine games, they may still offload more talent, with pitchers Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen drawing serious interest.
Description:
"With the MLB trade deadline heating up, the Philadelphia Phillies land elite closer Jhoan Durán, while the Mets, Reds, and Yankees go all-in with bold moves. Get the full rundown of Wednesday's biggest trades, top prospects, and what’s still to come before the buzzer."