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Despite the conflicting reports on whether or not the Boston Red Sox will trade an outfielder this season, the team is listening to offers on Jarren Duran. The speedy outfielder has held trade interest for years, and Roman Anthony’s arrival to the major leagues, and Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela’s elite defensive status could make Duran the true odd-man-out.
MLB insider Jeff Passan reported that Boston sees Duran as worth a front-of-the-rotation starter on the trade market. He also noted that no team has been willing to meet its price, and that after the Orioles’ massive four-player package for former Rays pitcher Shane Baz, the asking price for starters has dramatically increased.
It could be impossible for the Red Sox to get what they want in exchange for Duran given his regression on both sides of the ball in 2025. He has three years of team control remaining on his contract entering his age-29 season, so he’s still worth a pretty package, but a top-tier starter is a huge ask. Here are some teams that might be willing to meet Boston’s price.
3 teams Red Sox could trade with to meet asking price for Jarren Duran
Dodgers
The Dodgers learned their lesson from their 2024 World Series run against the Yankees, when their bullpen carried them through almost the entire postseason after a series of devastating injuries to their rotation. Now, they have starters to spare.
LA is in the market for an outfielder after Michael Conforto became a free agent (he was left off the playoff roster due to a disappointing season). River Ryan, Gavin Stone and Emmett Sheehan aren’t necessarily aces, but they could be a major part of a return package in a Duran trade.
Pirates
The Pirates are seemingly ready to try and compete in the National League Central after years of low-tier additions and one-year deals for free agents. Boston and Pittsburgh have become frequent trade partners in recent years, as former Red Sox GM Ben Cherington is in charge there, and the two sides could make another swap involving Duran and any number of the Pirates’ pitching prospects.
Paul Skenes isn’t going anywhere — nor should the Pirates move him — but they have a few other top pitchers to spare for a Duran trade. Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler would be excellent gets for Boston, as would top prospects Hunter Barco and Seth Hernandez. Duran may not be enough, alone to secure one of those arms for the Red Sox, but they’ll have to get realistic if they want to clear their outfield logjam.
Royals
The Royals have been in contact with the Red Sox about Duran already this offseason, but as Passan reported, they found their asking price to be too high. They still have starting pitchers to go around, though, and Boston could pursue another deal with them at a more reasonable price.
The Red Sox would surely love to add Cole Ragans to their pitching staff, but there’s no way Kansas City will give him up in a trade for Duran, alone. Kris Bubic only has one more year of control on his contract, but if the Red Sox think they could extend him, that could be a risky but worthwhile move.