Philadelphia Phillies reliever José Alvarado was suspended for PEDs back in May and is finally getting close to his MLB return, per MLB.com’s Paul Casella. As a result, the Phillies went out and got closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins to secure the backend of the bullpen.

Perhaps that trade would have never materialized if it weren’t for Alvarado’s suspension and postseason ineligibility. Through 20 games so far, Alvarado has pitched to a 4-1 record with a 2.70 ERA and seven saves.

Jhoan Duran might not be a Phillie without José Alvarado’s PED suspension

The Phillies and their bullpen were devastated, as they lost one of their best possible arms in the early part of the season. It was, of course, unexpected, but the Phillies were simply not built to withstand such a detrimental loss to their bullpen at that time.

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski went into the trade deadline knowing it was a problem that had to be fixed. That’s where Jhoan Duran came into the equation. Duran on the season has pitched to a 6-4 record, a 1.93 ERA and 18 saves through 51 games.

If you think about it, this trade might not have even been a second thought if Alvarado was healthy and still in the bullpen mix. Dombrowski may have just accepted that Alvarado was able to confidently fill the closer role for the club. There’s a good chance the front office still would have gone out and gotten some bullpen help, but the star power would have been severely lacking.

A lot can be made of how Dombrowski whiffed on previous trade deadlines like Austin Hays, Michael Lorenzen or even Carlos Estévez. One thing is certain, however, and it’s that he absolutely blew it out of the water with the Duran trade. It’s a trade that not only gives them a backend solution this year but also a long-term proven closer. It cost a pair of top prospects, but it’s the price you pay when you’re looking to acquire a front-line reliever.

It doesn’t hurt that Duran is throwing 103 mph four-seamers night in and night out. His entrance has also been one of the most iconic ones ever at Citizens Bank Park, per MLB.com’s Paul Casella.

The feeling was always lighter when Alvarado was pitching for the Phillies, until that dreadful day on May 18 when news of the suspension broke. Many Phillies fans felt like the team had lost a major opportunity while trying to advance to the postseason again in 2025. They were certainly right to feel that way, but it also lit a fire under Dombrowski to go get the best guy available to close out games. It also gives the Phillies leverage when discussing Alvarado’s contract situation for next season.