The Boston Red Sox are facing a daunting task as they attempt to find a suitable trade partner for outfielder Jarren Duran, who completed a stellar 4.7 WAR season in 2023 and led the team in doubles and triples last year. Despite his impressive on-field performance, Duran has become somewhat of an afterthought due to the emergence of younger players like Ceddanne Rafaela, Roman Anthony, Wilyer Abreu, and others who are vying for playing time.
These young players, many with more team control remaining, have established themselves as excellent defenders at their respective positions, leaving Duran without a clear role. The Red Sox cannot use him as a designated hitter due to the skillset of Rafaela and Abreu, while Anthony's future is even brighter with his impressive rookie campaign.
As the offseason progresses, it remains unclear who will be willing to take on the risk of trading for Duran, given his star-studded résumé. The Red Sox are expected to seek a player who can bolster their lineup and compete against top teams like the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees in 2026.
However, the search for a suitable trade partner will be complicated by the fact that several teams need outfielders, including perennial contenders such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have benefited from past Boston trades. The Red Sox are also unlikely to make a blockbuster deal with division rivals like the Blue Jays or Yankees, while they may face internal conflicts after shipping Rafael Devers to them last season.
The Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies appear to be two teams in the running for Duran's services if their respective needs cannot be met through other means. While some might view trading Duran as a wise decision, keeping him around could prove to be an even greater challenge for the Red Sox, who may struggle to find a suitable role for him amidst all the competition for playing time.
These young players, many with more team control remaining, have established themselves as excellent defenders at their respective positions, leaving Duran without a clear role. The Red Sox cannot use him as a designated hitter due to the skillset of Rafaela and Abreu, while Anthony's future is even brighter with his impressive rookie campaign.
As the offseason progresses, it remains unclear who will be willing to take on the risk of trading for Duran, given his star-studded résumé. The Red Sox are expected to seek a player who can bolster their lineup and compete against top teams like the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees in 2026.
However, the search for a suitable trade partner will be complicated by the fact that several teams need outfielders, including perennial contenders such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have benefited from past Boston trades. The Red Sox are also unlikely to make a blockbuster deal with division rivals like the Blue Jays or Yankees, while they may face internal conflicts after shipping Rafael Devers to them last season.
The Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies appear to be two teams in the running for Duran's services if their respective needs cannot be met through other means. While some might view trading Duran as a wise decision, keeping him around could prove to be an even greater challenge for the Red Sox, who may struggle to find a suitable role for him amidst all the competition for playing time.