The Boston Red Sox are 29-32 and 8 1/2 games out of the lead in the American League East. They could become sellers at the trade deadline, and one of their All-Star players could be on the move.
Sooner or later, the Red Sox will have to make a move to open a spot in their outfield. Roman Anthony, the top prospect in baseball, is ready to debut, but there is no room for him in the outfield right now. Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela have already signed lengthy extensions, leaving Jarren Duran as the likeliest trade chip.
The Athletic’s Dennis Lin revealed that the San Diego Padres are showing interest in Duran as they chase the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.
“As the Padres face a daunting upcoming schedule and glaring holes at the bottom of their lineup, their list of trade targets again includes Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, league sources told The Athletic,” wrote Lin. “The Padres expressed interest in Duran ahead of the 2024 season, before veteran left fielder Jurickson Profar and then-rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill joined Duran as first-time All-Stars. Now, an underwhelming Red Sox team might consider Duran expendable; outfielder Roman Anthony remains tantalizingly close to Boston, and a restless fan base has been clamoring for the arrival of the sport’s consensus No. 1 prospect.”
The Padres’ need in the outfield has been apliofioed after losing Jason Heyward and Gavin Sheets to injuries. Heyward was already underperforming offensively, but now the Padres do not even have a reliable replacement. Duran was an All-Star last year and will not be a free agent until 2029.
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He is slashing .264/.312/.406 with four home runs. He is leading the big leagues in triples with six and plays good defense in the outfield. The move would allow the Red Sox to get Anthony in the big leagues while also capitalizing on Duran’s value to add some young prospects.
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