.png?w=1280)
Ranking Red Sox OF Jarren Duran's 10 Best Trade Packages amid MLB Trade Rumors
The Boston Red Sox probably didn't anticipate one of their best players being the subject of trade rumors in June, but that is the situation they've put themselves in.
With their 2025 season slipping away seemingly by the day, it is frankly no wonder Jarren Duran is generating trade buzz. The San Diego Padres are interested, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, while an unnamed GM told ESPN's Jeff Passan that Boston "could entertain the idea of moving" the 2024 All-Star.
The Red Sox obviously aren't obligated to turn these whispers into action, but their unraveling season isn't their only motivation to do something drastic. The other benefit of moving Duran is that it would clear a spot in the outfield for MLB's No. 1 prospect, Roman Anthony.
There's also, of course, the reality that Duran has a ton of trade value. Let's get further into that and then pitch trade packages the Red Sox would have to consider.
What is Jarren Duran's Trade Value?
1 of 11
Duran is not off to an especially hot start in 2025, but his appeal as one of the most electric outfielders in MLB still has some juice.
After initially failing to launch in 2021 and 2022, the 28-year-old was a low-key success story amid a 2023 season that saw him hit .295 with a .828 OPS. He then broke all the way out in 2024, earning All-Star Game MVP honors on his way to an 8.7 rWAR season marked by double-digit tallies for doubles, triples, home runs and stolen bases.
Duran has begun to look more like his 2024 self more recently. His last 20 games have yielded a .318 average and .881 OPS, thus setting him up to repeat his flow from last year: mediocre in April and early May, and then off to the races.
Further, he is 28 years old and comes with some cost control. He's making $3.75 million this year with an $8 million club option for 2026. He'll then have two more years of arbitration-eligibility before qualifying for free agency after 2028.
For Baseball Trade Values, it all adds up to $71.6 million in surplus value. That's about $20 million more than Garrett Crochet had when the Red Sox acquired him from the Chicago White Sox in a deal that saw Boston part with four of its best prospects.
Therefore, Duran isn't going to come cheap in a trade, and it's reasonable to think the Red Sox might not want an all-prospect return for him. This year may be going south, but they're in too deep with trying to contend to go back to the drawing board.
As such, the 10 trade proposals we're about to look at are ranked according to how much sense they make for the buyer and for Boston.
Note: All farm system and prospect rankings are courtesy of B/R's Joel Reuter.
10. St. Louis Cardinals
2 of 11
Trade Proposal: St. Louis Cardinals get OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox get 2B/SS JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals No. 1), LHP Quinn Mathews (Cardinals No. 2)
Why It Works
The Red Sox basically rode Chaim Bloom out on a rail in 2023, but his legacy as their chief baseball officer is aging well. Quite a few current Boston regulars developed under his watch, including Duran.
Though the Cardinals technically haven't turned their front office over to Bloom just yet, that is the plan and it's looking like he won't even have to rebuild. At 33-27, they have made it far enough to at least consider buying at the deadline.
They don't have a bad outfield, but Jordan Walker is holding them back in right field. Duran's arrival could take care of that by bumping Lars Nootbaar from left to right, with Victor Scott II and his defense remaining in center.
The Red Sox getting the Cardinals' two best prospects in exchange would sound good on paper, and it would help that both have made it as far as the high minors.
Why It Doesn't Work
Ah, but would the Cardinals really trade their two best prospects at a time when the organization is supposed to be game-planning for the future? One doubts it, in which case there might not be a deal to be made here.
Maybe a couple years ago, when guys like Walker and Nolan Gorman still had some heft to their stock. But they don't anymore, and the Cardinals are otherwise bereft of expendable talent on their major league roster. We didn't even dare to think of pitching anything involving Brendan Donovan or Matthew Liberatore.
9. Cleveland Guardians
3 of 11
Trade Proposal: Cleveland Guardians get OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox get RHP Cade Smith, OF Jaison Chourio (Guardians No. 2), 1B Ralphy Velazquez (Guardians No. 5)
Why It Works
We can't be the only ones who have had it with the Guardians' years-long refusal to do something about their outfield.
The center field and right field spots, specifically, have been a persistent and heavy anchor on the lineup's overall production. This is especially true in 2025, wherein the Guardians rank last in OPS from center field (.495) and second-to-last in OPS from right field (.513).
Duran would fit into the center field hole, and he could otherwise form a dynamite table-setting duo with Steven Kwan at the top of the lineup. Suffice it to say José Ramírez would love hitting behind them.
In exchange, the Red Sox would upgrade their bullpen with perhaps the best reliever in baseball while simultaneously restocking their farm system.
Why It Doesn't Work
It just doesn't seem like the kind of trade the Guardians would make, does it? They're normally more conservative than this, and that doesn't figure to change while they're staring down a rather large deficit in the AL Central.
As Mason Miller and any number of examples can prove, even relievers as dominant as Smith can devolve into nothing with little notice. There's also a catch with Chourio and Velazquez: Both would be several years away from helping Boston, during which time anything could happen.
8. Cincinnati Reds
4 of 11
Trade Proposal: Cincinnati Reds get OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox get RHP Graham Ashcraft, RHP Chase Burns (Reds No. 2), RHP Chase Petty (Reds No. 5)
Why It Works
Every now and then, you come across a "Wait, that can't be right..." sort of stat. In this case, it's June 4 and the Reds have already used 10 different players in left field.
That's not ideal, and the same is true of how Elly De La Cruz is the only true star in Cincinnati's lineup. It's time the Reds changed that, and the franchise's spending habits pretty much make it trade market or bust for adding an impact bat.
If Duran was to be that guy for the Reds, the only downside would be that his gap power wouldn't go as far at Great American Ball Park. He'd probably gain in the HR column, however, because everyone does in Cincinnati.
For the Red Sox, Ashcraft's electric stuff practically makes him a lottery ticket, and Burns and Petty are top-100 talents. Burns in particular has tons of helium, as his minor league work in 2025 has yielded a 1.93 ERA and a 7.7 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Why It Doesn't Work
One can see the Red Sox being willing to do this deal. Whereas their offense is at least built upon a solid foundation, Garrett Crochet is the only strong wall in the foundation for the pitching. This trade would help shore up the others.
Like with the Guardians, however, it's hard to fathom a conservative franchise like the Reds taking this big of a swing. Especially, you know, given they're not exactly in the race for the NL Central title.
7. New York Mets
5 of 11
Trade Proposal: New York Mets get OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox get 1B/3B Mark Vientos, RHP Brandon Sproat (Mets No. 1), SS Jesus Baez (Mets No. 4)
Why It Works
It's just a matter of time [sharp glance in the direction of Juan Soto] before the Mets' offense turns on the jets, but they could use help in center field anyway.
The position has mostly been in Tyrone Taylor's care, and he has just a .632 OPS and one homer to show for his season so far. A better use for him would be as a fourth outfielder whose glove would play at all three spots.
Besides which, the Mets could use Duran's athleticism in their offense. They only have 46 stolen bases as a team and generally play it station-to-station on the basepaths.
Whereas he's on the outs amid Brett Baty's recent rise in New York, Vientos could slide right into a role as an everyday player on the corners in Boston. Sproat is having a rough season, but he has big-time stuff and is close to the majors.
Why It Doesn't Work
This deal works well enough on paper, at least in the sense that everyone gets what they need without giving up anything they'd be guaranteed to miss.
The Red Sox, however, would be buying low on Vientos and Sproat. The former simply hasn't been the same guy who broke out with a 27-homer season, while the latter has been about as shaky as his 6.02 ERA at Triple-A suggests.
6. San Francisco Giants
6 of 11
Trade Proposal: San Francisco Giants get OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox get RHP Hayden Birdsong, 1B Bryce Eldridge (Giants No. 1)
Why It Works
The Giants got off to a strong start, but there was at least one reason not to put too much stock into it even as it was happening: Their offense scared nobody.
It has since been exposed amid a 9-14 stretch in which it has produced only 2.9 runs per game. The outfield is actually a relative strength, but what the team needs is a player who could bring more athleticism to the lineup.
Duran is about as good as it gets in this respect, and his line-drive swing might fit even better at Oracle Park than it does at Fenway Park. Those are big gaps for him to exploit.
In exchange, this trade would net the Red Sox an MLB-ready starter and the best first base prospect in the National League. Given Triston Casas' long-term outlook after a devastating knee injury, Boston does need to be thinking about the future at that spot.
Why It Doesn't Work
Mind you, there's another reason Eldridge (who was promoted to Triple-A on Tuesday) is a part of this package: He's really the only prospect of note that the Giants have in their system.
It is therefore far from a sure thing that they would part for him in any trade, much less one that would address an area that is already a strength. And besides, Eldridge is a straightforward answer to the Giants' own long-term question mark at the cold corner.
5. Detroit Tigers
7 of 11
Trade Proposal: Detroit Tigers get OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox get RHP Jackson Jobe, SS Bryce Rainer (Tigers No. 3)
Why It Works
Why the Tigers for Duran? Heck, why not the Tigers for Duran?
They ought to be in World Series or bust mode after a 40-22 start to the year, and adding Duran would further super-charge an offense that has been a pleasant surprise. It needs Duran's speed, as the Tigers' 21 stolen bases are the fewest in MLB.
Because the Tigers are set with Riley Greene in left field, Duran could take over in center and put a stop to a revolving door that has seen seven players start at the position. This would free Javier Báez up to be a proper super-utility man.
Jobe no longer has prospect status, but he was the best pitching prospect in the game when he did. As he's now on the IL with a flexor strain, the Red Sox would have to buy into his long-term upside to make this deal.
Why It Doesn't Work
Because they also have Kevin McGonigle in their system, the Tigers could easily afford to part with Rainer in a trade for Duran. Jobe is a much iffier proposal, as they're likely to need him to take Tarik Skubal's spot in a couple years.
For their part, the Red Sox would presumably prefer not to make a pitcher with an injured elbow the centerpiece of a Duran deal. And in this case, said pitcher still looked raw in the 10 starts he made before he was sidelined. Jobe walked 27 batters in 49 innings and had a 4.22 ERA.
4. Philadelphia Phillies
8 of 11
Trade Proposal: Philadelphia Phillies get OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox get RHP Andrew Painter (Phillies No. 1), C Eduardo Tait (Phillies No. 4)
Why It Works
It was under Dave Dombrowski that the Red Sox originally took Duran in the seventh round of the 2018 draft, which now looks like a steal.
Cut to 2025, and Dombrowski is in charge of a Phillies team with seemingly an ever-lasting need in center field. The position has been worth minus-0.1 rWAR, with an aggregate .612 OPS being the primary culprit.
Though center field is not Duran's primary position this season, he spent ample time out there in 2024 and walked away with 17 Defensive Runs Saved. Clearly, he can handle it if need be.
Given Painter's very real upside as a No. 1 starting pitcher, this would be a true "all-in" trade for the Phillies. Knowing how short their contention window is getting, they should arguably be looking to do exactly that sort of deal before July 31.
Why It Doesn't Work
It's doubtful the Red Sox would say no to this offer. Their farm system is short on high-impact arms, so getting perhaps the best pitching prospect in baseball would be a big win. Further, the wait for Painter in Boston would not be a long one.
It's the Phillies who would really be taking a risk here. They are in win-now mode, but Painter is the heir apparent for Zack Wheeler, who isn't getting any younger. To trade a guy like that just to improve an already dangerous offense would be borderline wasteful.
3. San Diego Padres
9 of 11
Trade Proposal: San Diego Padres get OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox get RHP Jeremiah Estrada, SS Leo De Vries (Padres No. 1)
Why It Works
The Padres want Duran, you say? Well, no kidding.
He is primarily a left fielder, and that is a position where the Padres are last in MLB with an output of minus-0.8 rWAR. It is an offensive black hole, having produced a .524 OPS that ranks 29th in the league.
Filling that hole with a player as good as Duran would go a long way toward getting the Padres on par with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West race. As it is, the two clubs are separated by just 1.0 games in the push for first place.
For the Red Sox, this trade would bring back one of the very best prospects in MLB while also outfitting their much-maligned bullpen with one of the best power arms in the sport. This year alone, Estrada has 40 strikeouts over 26.2 innings.
Why It Doesn't Work
Given how volatile relievers are, there would be significant risk for the Red Sox in making a bullpen arm a key piece in the return for Duran. Plus, he's kinda-sorta-very needed in the Padres' pen.
Further, De Vries works better as a trade chip in theory than he does in reality. The Padres surely don't want to move him. And since the Red Sox aren't rebuilding, they'd be better off targeting more proven prospects who are closer to the majors. De Vries is only 18 and having a good-not-great season at High-A.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
10 of 11
Trade Proposal: Los Angeles Dodgers get OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox get C/OF Dalton Rushing (Dodgers No. 2), LHP Jackson Ferris (Dodgers No. 3), SS Emil Morales (Dodgers No. 6)
Why It Works
It's the Padres who actually want Duran, but the Dodgers could also use him and they're frankly a more sensible trading partner for the Red Sox.
The Boys in Blue haven't been much better off in left field, as the position has produced minus-0.5 rWAR and a .672 OPS. Much of the blame falls on Michael Conforto, who has been a huge bust on a $17 million roll of the dice.
This is where Duran would fit in, and he could also move into the leadoff spot and bump Shohei Ohtani down to a more traditional RBI spot. The more at-bats he takes with men on base, the better.
For Boston, Rushing could fill a fascinating role as a full-time player who works at catcher, first base and the outfield. The other prize would be Ferris, who would promise to bring upside to the 2026 rotation.
Why It Doesn't Work
For the Dodgers, an outfielder is more of a want than a need. What they really need is impact pitching, and they're going to have better places to look for it than Boston.
This is otherwise not a bad package for the Red Sox, but Rushing isn't the most practical fit for their roster. They need a righty hitter, not another lefty. They also need someone who could stop their positional merry-go-round, not spin it even faster.
1. Seattle Mariners
11 of 11
Trade Proposal: Seattle Mariners get OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox get RHP Bryce Miller, 2B Michael Arroyo (Mariners No. 4), C Harry Ford (Mariners No. 5)
Why It Works
The Mariners are probably the weakest division title contender in MLB right now, so it's a good thing for them that they have the league's best farm system to leverage on the trade market.
To this end, Ford is very obviously blocked by Cal Raleigh, and Arroyo is only their third-best infield prospect after Colt Emerson and Cole Young. They are clearly expendable, and Miller may be as well.
He's had a weird year, in part because of a bone spur in his pitching elbow that will eventually need to be taken care of. Either way, he has interested the Red Sox in the past and is a little less necessary in Seattle now that Emerson Hancock and Logan Evans are raising their stock.
Otherwise, how does an outfield of Duran, Julio Rodríguez and Randy Arozarena sound? "Intimidating" is the right word, and the Mariners surely need the offensive upgrade if they're finally going to make it to the World Series.
Why It Doesn't Work
The general logic of this trade hinges on Miller, and his inclusion is complicated. Would the Mariners really part with one of their prized hurlers? Would the Red Sox even want him while his elbow is compromised?
The answer to both questions might be no, and we can be real that Ford isn't as good a fit for Boston as he would have been in the offseason. The Red Sox needed a catcher then, but now they know they have something in Carlos Narváez.
Even with this said, it's a "Who says no?" sort of trade proposal. The Mariners would be parting with players they can afford to part with for a major upgrade, while Boston could easily work those players into playoff pushes in 2026 and beyond.
Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs and Baseball Savant.
.jpg?w=600 "Biggest Winners and Losers After 30 Games ⚾")
