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There have been rumors indicating the Boston Red Sox were open to the idea of trading star outfielder Jarren Duran for the last few months, but they’ve really heated up this offseason.
Duran seems like the odd man in the Red Sox’s outfield because his contract is going to expire first, but Boston doesn’t need to trade him. However, if the Red Sox can net a star pitcher or two, the idea of trading him begins to make a lot more sense.
Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly listed the Pittsburgh Pirates as the top landing spot in a potential trade for Duran this offseason.
“As things stand, though, the Pirates might be an even better landing spot for Duran,” Kelly wrote. “Pittsburgh has signed Ryan O’Hearn already this offseason, but if they want to make the best of their remaining time with Paul Skenes, that can’t be the only move. Acquiring Duran would give the Pirates a pretty respectable outfield—particularly when facing right-handed pitching—along with Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds. Duran also isn’t particularly expensive right now with three remaining arbitration seasons.”
The Pirates have the pitching depth to trade from. They could trade one of their young pitchers to acquire Duran. They could also use a veteran pitcher and some prospects to get the deal done.
But the fit is practically perfect. Duran would be the perfect bat at the top of the Pirates’ lineup. He would fit well in the outfield, too. It wouldn’t be easy to get a deal done, but it would fit the aggressiveness the Pirates have shown this offseason.
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