MLB insiders consider Pink Sox nonetheless have prime commerce chip in baseball

Red Sox

“There’s little reason for Boston to even entertain offers for Duran unless the return is substantial.”

The Red Sox have already traded away arguably the face of their franchise in Rafael Devers earlier this week.

But as Boston continues to embrace a youth movement amid a roster overhaul, could the Red Sox continue to move more lineup regulars off the team ahead of MLB’s July 31 trade deadline?

On Wednesday, The Athletic unveiled its “MLB trade deadline big board” — with staff writers Tim Britton, Aaron Gleeman, and Eno Sarris ranking the top 30 players who could be moved by the trade deadline next month.

The top player on the list? Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran. 

“To be clear: There’s little reason for Boston to even entertain offers for Duran unless the return is substantial,” The Athletic wrote. “His production has predictably fallen short of his 2024 breakout, but Duran remains a solidly above-average hitter with lots of speed and the ability to play center field.

“Perhaps most importantly, he’s under team control through 2028, making him a player teams can build around. Of course, even with a sudden influx of stud prospects joining the lineup, the Red Sox could continue to build around him, too. The Padres have already been linked to Duran and surely they won’t be alone.”

Duran was one of the best players in baseball during the 2024 season — posting an 8.7 WAR and earning All-Star Game MVP honors in a breakout season. Even though the 28-year-old’s game has dipped a bit this year (.258 batting average, .312 OBP), Duran is still regarded as a valuable asset in Boston’s lineup. 

But the Red Sox are also facing a logjam in the outfield in the coming days, with Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu all vying for regular reps moving forward. 

Given that glut of outfielders, it should come as little surprise that Abreu was also listed No. 7 on that same ranking of potential trade chips — although Abreu is younger (25) than Duran and will not hit free agency until 2030. 

Two Red Sox pitchers also made The Athletic’s ranking in closer Aroldis Chapman (No. 16) and Walker Buehler (No. 19). 

This is not the first time that Duran has heard his name in trade rumors this season. Earlier this month, The Athletic’s Dennis Lin reported that the Padres expressed an interest in acquiring the fleet-footed outfielder and dynamic leadoff hitter. 

“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,” Lin wrote. “The Padres expressed interest in Duran ahead of the 2024 season.”

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.