Red Sox report reveals 'steep' Jarren Duran trade problem

While the Boston Red Sox have not had a good 2026 season, they're still very much within striking distance of a postseason spot and likely to buy by the deadline.

Even though this team is trending towards buying, they might still consider trade offers for Jarren Duran, for whom they have been entertaining offers for the last year.

However, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan, there is one big problem with a potential Duran trade right now for the Red Sox: there is a "steep" difference in evaluation between the Red Sox and interested teams.

Red Sox have a big Jarren Duran trade problem

"And while teams will continue to ask about outfielder Jarren Duran, the difference between how Boston and potential suitors value him remains steep," Passan writes.

This is a significant update, as the Red Sox are still valuing Duran much higher than other teams around MLB value the outfielder.

The 29-year-old outfielder is under club control through the 2028 season, so he does have significant trade value. But, the Red Sox might be valuing him closer to his 9.0 bWAR 2024 season than his 4.9 bWAR 2025 and current 1.0 bWAR 2026 season.

He has a 91 OPS+ this season, which is a good bit worse than his 132 OPS+ mark from two years ago, and it's also worse than his 117 OPS+ mark from last year.

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Duran is clearly not as good as he once was, but the Red Sox are seemingly valuing him closer to his peak value still, according to Passan.

They might not be able to find any trade partner for Duran based on this evaluation, as most teams won't want to spend so much to add Duran based on his production this season.

He's not a bad player, and he would be a nice pickup for any outfield-needy team. But the cost of such an addition is currently too high, right now, based on this report from Passan.

Craig Breslow and the Red Sox will need to lower their offer to get a Duran trade agreed-upon, unless some team is willing to offer way more than they're currently valuing Duran. A trade doesn't seem likely at all right now for the Red Sox and Duran.

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