Jhoan Duran to Phillies for Abel and Tate
Jhoan Durán and Ryan Helsley traded to National League East teams
Photo credit: © Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Jul 30, 2025, 20:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 30, 2025, 19:56 EDT
Two of the better relief pitchers are off the market.
On Wednesday evening, both Jhoan Durán and Ryan Helsley were traded. The former was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, while Helsley was traded to their National League East rival, the New York Mets.
Durán was seen as the best reliever available on the trade market, as he averages triple digits with the heater and has a nasty splitter. In return, the Minnesota Twins received right-handed pitcher Mick Abel and catcher Eduardo Tait.
Abel ranked as the Phillies’ sixth-best prospect and Tait their fourth-best prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. On top of that, Tait ranked as Pipeline’s 56th-best prospect and Abel as the 92nd-best prospect.
Helsley didn’t have the team control that Durán had, as he is set to become a free agent after the end of the season. Still, the St.Louis Cardinals got a good return, acquiring shortstop Jesus Baez, right-handed pitcher Nate Dohm, and right-handed pitcher Frank Elissalt.
Mets get Helsley for Baez, Dohm, Elissalt. Done deal.
Baez is the best prospect going the other way, as he ranked as the Mets’ eighth-best prospect before the trade, according to MLB Pipeline. Dohm ranked as the 14th-best prospect, and Elissalt was unranked. None of the prospects ranked on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 list.
Although Durán and Helsley were two of the better relievers on the market, there are still plenty of talented relievers who are available. That includes Anthony Bender, David Bednar, Griffin Jax, Dennis Santana, and others.
Other moves made Wednesday
The Mets also acquired Tyler Rogers from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for their then 10th-best prospect, Blade Tidwell and their then 12th-best prospect, Drew Gilbert. José Buttó also heads to the Bay Area.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds for Sammy Stafura and Taylor Rogers, yes, the twins were traded on the same day. Expect the Pirates to flip Taylor Rogers before Thursday’s deadline.
The Seattle Mariners were one team linked to Durán, but they ended up getting left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson from the Pirates. Moreover, the Los Angeles Angels were busy, trading for Luis García and Andrew Chafin, both players were acquired from the Washington Nationals.
Of course, the New York Yankees made a trade, acquiring Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox as a bench bat. The Atlanta Braves also traded for Tyler Kinley from the Colorado Rockies.
Buckle up, it’s going to be a crazy trade deadline as the Blue Jays still have some holes to fill.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.