Outfielder Jarren Duran will be the first to tell you his recent season with the Boston Red Sox didn’t go as planned for him personally.
The inconsistency against left-handed pitching, mixed with unexpected inefficiency against righties at times, hurt Duran at the plate. His defense in the outfield was an issue at times as well, mostly due to poor initial reactions to fly balls and what seemed like an anxious mind on the go. What surely frustrates him and the fan base is that it’s always felt like Duran has had the talent and makeup to perform above these issues, and it’s only come in spurts.
As far as what Duran did production-wise during the season, he finished with a .256 batting average, 16 home runs, and 84 RBIs in 157 games. There’s another half to Duran’s production that isn’t on the stat sheet, with his speed on the basepaths pressuring opposing pitchers and setting the tone for the batting order as a whole. He has sort of been the microcosm of the team, youthful and full of energy.
With these positive and negative developments of Duran's game, the Red Sox front office will have to take a step back and analyze his long-term fit within the roster. The reality they could surely face is that, regardless of whether Duran has a bounce-back season in the future, the state of the roster suggests the Red Sox may need to move on.
With rookie phenom Roman Anthony ready for the left field spot Duran has filled, and a batting lineup featuring lefty-dominant threats, trading him could allow for a seamless transition.
How the Red Sox Could Trade Jarren Duran This Winter
As with any trade discussions, Red Sox fans are likely wonder what destination makes the most sense in a Duran deal.
A team like the San Diego Padres makes a lot of sense as a partner for a Duran trade, with reports suggesting they went all in for him at points this past season, according to The Athletic's Dennis Lin. Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease is set to become a free agent, but it would be wise to explore prospects for a deal to add a rotational arm elsewhere. The desire from this team is too good to ignore, especially with Duran’s value likely lower for many organizations.
The Red Sox could also go directly to the Minnesota Twins and try to trade for starting pitcher Joe Ryan. With their potential interest in rookie Payton Tolle, the Red Sox could package Duran and Tolle for a pitcher like Ryan, who could help bridge the gap between Garrett Crochet and Bryan Bello. This type of deal would eliminate the redundancy Duran brings as a left-handed hitter and Tolle brings as a fastball-dominant starter.
Overall, it’s clear what kind of deal the Red Sox should aim for if they trade a flashy outfielder like Duran. They should get a bridge pitcher for the rotation in return and likely let free agency dictate the replacement of Duran’s bat. Although Duran forces opponents to game-plan for the lineup’s speed and energy, balancing the lineup and letting younger outfielders fill in as replacements provides value without a direct acquisition.
Duran has done more than enough to establish himself as a player of value, but much of the dynamic making him a trade piece comes from the Red Sox’s depth.