Phillies agree to $7.5 million contract before arbitration with flame-throwing closer

Matt Sullivan

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Phillies agree to $7.5 million contract before arbitration with flame-throwing closer image

There have been a few bullpen roster moves made by the Philadelphia Phillies in the last year or so, but their best one by far has been the trade deadline addition of Jhoan Duran.

He was incredible for the Phillies in the second half of 2025 and will be the team's closer for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. But he needed to come to terms with his new team to avoid arbitration.

Fortunately, as Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports, the Phillies and Duran have agreed to a $7.5 million contract for the 2026 season, avoiding arbitration.

Phillies' Jhoan Duran gets $7.5 million contract update

"Phillies and Jhoan Duran have settled at $7.5 million to avoid arbitration, league sources said," Gelb reported.

Duran is a huge part of the Phillies' success in 2026, and now is officially locked in for the season on a $7.5 million deal.

Matt Strahm made more than that before he was traded away, and with Jose Alvarado at around $9 million and Brad Keller at $11 million per season over the next two years, the Phillies are getting a nice deal on Duran.

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The 28-year-old lands this new deal on his birthday, which is a fitting present from the Phillies for their new player, giving him a $7.5 million deal.

This past season with the Phillies, Duran, in 23 appearances, had a 2.18 ERA with 16 saves in 20.2 innings pitched.

After years of a rotating bullpen, Rob Thomson and the Phillies finally have a dominant closer who will fully be responsible for the 9th inning in games.

Duran is an incredible pitcher, and this $7.5 million update is a big one for the Phillies and the flamethrowing righty reliever.

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