If the New York Mets need anything at the 2025 trade deadline, it’s a new starting center fielder.
New York has managed the best record in the National League to this point despite starting Tyrone Taylor, who is best served as a bench/platoon player, for the majority of their games. And they need a good defender out there to help make up for the range right fielder Juan Soto doesn’t have.
The Boston Red Sox, who are 29-33, might be able to lend the Mets a hand if they continue to spiral. Boston has baseball’s number-one prospect in outfielder Roman Anthony, but they also have three relatively young, cost-controlled starters blocking him in the majors.
On Tuesday, New York Post insider Jon Heyman discussed several possible trade targets for the Mets, and named Red Sox outfield star Jarren Duran, the 2024 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, as a potential name to watch.
“Would the Red Sox trade one of their outfielders? I mean, because you’ve got Roman Anthony, who’s the best prospect in baseball… he looks pretty ready to me, but I’m just looking at the stat sheet,” Heyman said.
“Duran, I think Duran is out there. I think they (the Mets) would talk about him.”
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The 28-year-old Duran may not be living up to his red-hot 2024 summer numbers on offense, but he’s still a well-above-average bat with a dynamic all-around skillset. He’s got a .734 OPS, a major-league-best six triples, and 13 stolen bases.
Duran would almost certainly play center field in New York, where he graded out very well with six outs above average in 2024. His defense, much like his offense, seemed to heat up in the summer months.
If the Red Sox are going to trade Duran, they’re going to ask for controllable major league talent in return. Sure, they want to open up a spot for Anthony, but they’re also under pressure to win soon, though their window might open in 2026 if their season continues spiraling.
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