The Boston Red Sox need to make moves to solidify their World Series odds, especially when it comes to an outfield that could use improvement. At the same time, the Red Sox may be stuck.
Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, and Roman Anthony have all been excellent for the Red Sox. That's been ever truer throughout July, where the Boston quartet has played a role in the 10-game win streak that the club built up before the All-Star break.
But eventually, a certain someone needs to leave. Unfortunately, while many fans thought Rafaela was the top trade candidate, he's finally been breaking out as a potential five-tool player (hyperbolic, yes). Wilyer Abreu was another, but he's the only power threat in that lineup now since Rafael Devers was shipped to San Francisco.
Now, all the fingers are pointing at the outlier: Jarren Duran.
Red Sox OF Jarren Duran is Spending Last All-Star Break in Boston
Duran is currently under team control until 2028, is 28 years old, and is a key player that many playoff contenders need. The current baseball leader in triples has rebounded in July, batting .302 with two homers and 11 RBIs and an OPS of .966. It's safe to say he's getting back to his old self.
Last year was his breakout, hitting 21 HRs with a .285 batting average, 34 stolen bases, and leading baseball in triples (14) and doubles (48). That version of Duran is still there, but he's also taken on more responsibility as of late.
He's been the de facto leader and the spark plug of that Red Sox clubhouse. With his story, dealing with mental health struggles and having a comeback story that relates to everyone across the world of baseball, he's become one of the most respected ballplayers in the league today. This year may be a stretch now if the Red Sox trade him, because it'll affect the clubhouse and their chemistry. They're on a roll, going 11-1 in July. Do the Red Sox really want to mess that up?
If the Red Sox are patient, they can trade Duran easily in the offseason and put Anthony in left full-time starting in 2026, but now is NOT the time to trade him. Having said that, it doesn't mean he won't be shipped off to another World Series threat down the line, potentially as early as this winter.