The Boston Red Sox have turned their season around and have put themselves in a position to be buyers at next week's trade deadline. Unlike many buyers, they have an All-Star on their roster they can trade.
The Red Sox outfield is crowded, and Jarren Duran has a case to be the odd man out. Roman Anthony is the top prospect in baseball, Ceddanne Rafaela is already signed to an extension, and Wilyer Abreu is younger and has more club control than Duran. The Athletic's Jim Bowden revealed that the Red Sox are actively trying to move Duran.
"The Red Sox have been discussing Jarren Duran with several teams — not because they necessarily want to trade him but because they like the outfield of Wilyer Abreu in right, Ceddanne Rafaela in center and Roman Anthony in left field, and Duran should not be a full-time DH at his age," wrote Bowden. "If the Red Sox trade him, it will be for a starting pitcher and perhaps a first baseman if they can find the right deal."
Duran was named an All-Star last year, but his numbers have declined this season. However, he would still be an upgrade for some teams looking for outfield upgrades.
He has a .257/.322/.427 slash line with 10 triples and eight home runs. He is under contract through 2028, so he will not be cheap for any team looking to add him. However, one contender in most need of an outfielder, the San Diego Padres, does not match up well with the Red Sox in a trade.
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"The Padres and Phillies would love to land Duran," wrote Bowden. "However, the Padres really don’t match up with Boston unless the Sox would take a pitcher on an expiring contract, like Dylan Cease or Michael King, or perhaps they could try a three-way trade with the Marlins where Boston would land Edward Cabrera from Miami, the Padres would get Duran and the Marlins would get prospects from both Boston and San Diego. The Sox are building for the short- and long-term."
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