MLB Exec 'Suggests' Red Sox 'Could Entertain' Trading Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu

Heading into June with a sub-.500 record could lead the Boston Red Sox to consider selling at the 2025 MLB trade deadline.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, one MLB executive "suggested the Red Sox could entertain" trading either Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu at the deadline.

Passan noted that the Triple-A success of Roman Anthony, ranked as baseball's No. 1 prospect by MLB Pipeline, could give the Red Sox the outfield depth to move on from either star.

As Passan put it, "the July market craves high-end talent, and Boston has it."

The Athletic's Dennis Lin recently reported that the San Diego Padres' trade deadline target list includes Duran. According to Lin, the Padres had also previously expressed trade interest in Duran ahead of the 2024 season.

Abreu was meanwhile subject to trade rumors after winning an AL Gold Glove Award in his breakout 2024 season with the Red Sox. The Boston Globe's Alex Speier reported in December that the Sox had explored trade proposals involving Abreu.

Abreu's contract is under club control through 2027, while the Red Sox hold Duran's arbitration rights through 2028, per Spotrac.

The Red Sox outfield is currently staffed by Duran and Abreu with Ceddanne Rafaela at center. Rob Refsnyder has served as a bench option.

Rafaela has past infield experience, but he's been one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball this season. The Fielding Bible has him tied for third in MLB with 10 defensive runs saved.

Rafaela's offense, while Duran and Abreu's, has been down amid the Red Sox's struggles early this season. Trading either Duran or Abreu could still allow Boston to cash in on each outfielder's career seasons in 2024.

Anthony has meanwhile been batting .303 with eight home runs and 23 RBI in 53 games at the Triple-A level.

The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey reported at the end of April that Anthony's call-up to MLB has been delayed by injury recovery, as well as caution earned from watching star Baltimore Orioles prospect Jackson Holliday struggle after his major-league debut last season.

Another reason for his delayed debut, McCaffrey wrote, is the backlog in the Red Sox outfield.

ESPN's Jeff Passan recently reported that there are "officials inside the organization who believe Anthony should be in the big leagues today." Trading a star outfielder would be one way to create a path for Anthony to make his highly anticipated Boston debut.