The Jarren Duran trade chatter around the Red Sox may finally be heading toward an actual finish line.
For the second straight year, Duran has been a familiar name in deadline rumors, and this time the noise comes with a different twist: Boston may be looking at a move this winter instead of rushing to do something by Monday’s deadline. That would give the Red Sox a chance to see whether Duran can rebuild some value before they decide what comes next.
Right now, his market looks nothing like it did when he was a hotter trade piece. Over the last two seasons, his value has slipped, and this year he’s been one of the five worst qualified hitters in Major League Baseball. That doesn’t mean Boston thinks that’s the real level of player he is, but it does mean a deadline deal now would likely be more about clearing the roster than landing a meaningful return.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Sunday that Duran is “expected” to be dealt this winter, when he would have two years left on his rookie deal before free agency. Those would be his age-30 and 31 seasons.
"The Boston Red Sox, who had resisted trade overtures for outfielder Jarren Duran in the past, now are expected to trade him this winter," wrote Nightengale.
That would mark a notable shift for a player Boston has previously been reluctant to move. Duran’s name came up plenty last deadline, including a stretch when the San Diego Padres were known to be interested.
There was also a report from MassLive’s Sean McAdam that the Padres offered Dylan Cease and top prospect Ethan Salas for Duran. Cease would have been a two-month rental at the time, and he is now one of the favorites for the American League Cy Young Award as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
If Nightengale’s report reflects the Red Sox’s real plan, then the next two months matter. Boston would presumably be hoping Duran can turn things around enough to restore some trade value before any winter decision is made. Whether he can do that is the part still left to play out.
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