The Boston Red Sox season is continuing to be a disappointment and things are starting to get dicey after Monday’s 7-6 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. With the Red Sox mired in fourth place of the American League East, trade rumors are going to start flying and there’s a good chance that they’ll be sellers more than buyers.
The latest rumor includes a former All-Star that made the team one year ago. While he’s considered to be a piece of the Sox long-term future, an National League contender may be willing to make an offer they can’t refuse and it could lead to a shocking deal ahead of next month’s trade deadline.
Padres Reportedly Interested in Red Sox All-Star Jarren Duran
According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the San Diego Padres are interested in acquiring Jarren Duran ahead of the July 31st trade deadline. The Padres are interested in Duran after outfielder Gavin Sheets was injured after crashing into the left field fence in Sunday’s 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates and hope that Duran would provide a boost to a lineup that ranks 17th with 4.19 runs per game entering Tuesday.
This is not the first time the Padres have been interested in Duran. San Diego inquired about Duran shortly after trading Juan Soto to the New York Yankees before the 2024 offseason but the Padres pivoted and signed Jurickson Profar to a $1 million contract. Both sides were happy they didn’t pull the trigger as both players made the All-Star team last season.
Duran was the more notable breakout for the Red Sox. Coming off a breakout 2023 season where he hit .295/.346/.482 with eight home runs, 40 RBI and 24 stolen bases in 102 games, he backed it up by leading MLB with 735 plate appearances, 48 doubles and 14 triples while hitting .285/.342/.492 with 21 homers, 75 RBI and 34 stolen bases.
A season where a player earns 8.7 wins above replacement is hard to duplicate and Duran has regressed this season. In 61 games, the 28-year-old is hitting .271/.317/.417 with four homers, 34 RBI and 13 stolen bases. While he’s still under team control through the 2029 season, he has an $8 million club option for next season, which could make him available at the deadline.
The Padres have a pair of top 30 prospects in shortstop Leo De Vries and catcher Ethan Salas, but it’s thin behind them as they've been aggressive to win in the present. San Diego also needs pitching, with Yu Darvish and Michael King currently on the injured list and the Padres could opt to be more aggressive on the mound than in the lineup.
Trading Duran would be surprising, but could have its benefits. While Duran is in his late 20s, dealing him could leave Ceddanne Rafaela in center field and allow them to put top prospect Roman Anthony in left field. It could also replenish some of the prospect capital lost in the Garrett Crochet trade last offseason or even add another MLB-ready piece that could help them climb the standings.
Either way, Duran is one of the first Red Sox to be mentioned in trade rumors and he may not be far behind if Boston continues to lose games.