Cubs bullpen dreams take a hit as Jhoan Duran lands with NL rival

The Chicago Cubs were loosely connected to Minnesota Twins' closer Jhoan Duran in the days leading up to the MLB trade deadline, but with the Cubs also aiming to land a controllable top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, it felt like Duran would be out of their reach. While it remains to be seen who the starting pitcher is that the Cubs will be adding, Duran has landed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Jhoan Duran trade to NL team is a gut punch to Cubs bullpen plans

Beyond the fact that Duran was one of the best closers in the American League, he is also under control through the 2027 season. Any team acquiring him was going to pay a steep price, and that certainly is what the Phillies did. Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel were two of the Phillies' top five prospects according to MLB Pipeline.

Tait was the higher-rated prospect of the two that the Phillies are sending to the Twins, landing as the organization's No. 4 prospect in MLB Pipeline's latest update. Abel has reached the Major League level, posting a 5.04 ERA through 6 starts. Abel was the Phillies' No. 6 prospect. Each is a Top 100 prospect in baseball.

The Cubs, given the need in their rotation, weren't going to make that offer for a relief pitcher. That said, the price the Phillies paid for Duran likely is more confirmation of the high asking prices for the controllable starting pitchers the Cubs are targeting ahead of the deadline.

Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins has been the oft-rumored target for the Cubs, and as of the start of this week, the Marlins were seeking a package that included both Owen Caissie and Jaxon Wiggins. While the Cubs have balked at that asking price, the Duran trade likely favors the Marlins and their asking price for a starting pitcher who is on the ascent and under control through the 2028 season.

More Cubs News from Cubbies Crib