Jarren

Duran

Passan notes that the Red Sox “are valuing Duran more like the seven-win player of 2024 than his 4-win version in 2025"; however, he also notes that Duran “has a ton of trade value because he’s still in his 20s and has three years of control.” Even if 2024 was an outlier, Duran has elite baserunning abilities and has been a solid run-producer atop the Red Sox lineup. With Wilyer Abreu proving to be a better defender and also being younger, it seems more likely that the Red Sox deal Duran this winter.

There is nothing in motion right now, but Speier notes that the Royals have specifically stated that nobody on their roster is “off limits.” The Royals have shown a reluctance to deal veterans Seth Lugo and Michal Wacha, and they have said that Ragans would only be dealt if a “big return” was coming their way. However, the Red Sox have the pieces to put together that kind of return. The Royals are looking for a right-handed outfielder, but also reportedly “won’t be tethered to the notion,” which means the Red Sox could put together an offer that includes Jarren Duran, one of Connelly Early or Payton Tolle, and other prospects in order to acquire Ragans. It’s also possible that the Red Sox might be willing to part with Kristian Campbell, who seems best suited for the outfield, but doesn’t really have a place in Boston right now. This is a situation to monitor.

The Red Sox had experimented with Campbell at both second base and first base this season, trying to find a way to get his bat in the lineup quickly by having him play a position of need. However, he struggled defensively at second base, and the constant position changes appear to have also impacted his offensive performance. The outfield is Campbell’s best position defensively, and the Red Sox could use his right-handed bat in a left-handed-heavy group. Of course, Campbell moving to the outfield full-time only pours more fuel on the fire of rumors that Jarren Duran will be traded this offseason.

The Red Sox have a full outfield with Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu. They also have Jhostynxon García and Kristian Campbell at Triple-A, so the 29-year-old Duran certainly seems like the odd man out. Nightengale reports that “the Red Sox believe that they need an upgrade over Duran, and that he needs a fresh start.” His name seems likely to come up in rumors all offseason as the Red Sox look to acquire an impact starting pitcher.

This turned out to be a much smoother process than last year, when the two sides couldn’t come to terms before arbitration requests were submitted. They did, however, do a one-year deal with an $8 million option before a hearing. This new contract again avoids arbitration and comes with a slightly smaller salary than the option, though we assume Duran is still getting his $100,000 buyout. Duran, a Super Two player last year, remains under team control through 2028. He could be a trade candidate this winter as a result of Ramon Anthony’s emergence.

Bowden notes that the dynamic 29-year-old outfielder’s name continues to pop up in trade rumors and mentions the Phillies, Tigers, Dodgers, Guardians and Rangers as teams that are known to have interest in his services. Duran is under team control through the 2028 season, so it would take a hefty package of prospects to pry him away from the Red Sox.

Masataka Yoshida, Wilyer Abreu and Nathaniel Lowe are all on the bench tonight, replaced by Rob Refsnyder at DH, Nate Eaton in right field and Nick Sogard at second base (Romy Gonzalez is at first).

Duran smacked an RBI double off of the Green Monster off of Chris Paddack in the fourth inning, giving the Red Sox a 4-3 lead. That would wind up being the extent of the scoring in the ballgame. The dynamic 29-year-old outfielder finishes the regular season slashing .256/.332/.442 with 16 homers, 84 RBI and 24 stolen bases in 696 plate appearances.

It’s a classic post-playoff clinching lineup from the Red Sox in this one with off days for a quartet of veterans. Story, Bregman and Duran could certainly use a break as they’ve played nearly every day down the home stretch. Boston appears poised to let the chips fall where they may this weekend as they’re pretty much locked into the second AL Wild Card spot.

Duran delivered an RBI single off of Kyle Finnegan in the eighth inning that pulled the Red Sox even at 3-3 and set the stage for them to walk it off the following frame. It was Duran’s only hit in four at-bats on the night, though he also saved a couple of runs with an outstanding catch in left field in the first inning. For the season, the dynamic 29-year-old outfielder is hitting .257/.333/.442 with 16 homers, 83 RBI and 24 stolen bases across 691 plate appearances.