The Boston Red Sox have been one of the more active teams this offseason, and they’re not done yet. After bringing in Johan Oviedo, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras, Boston has added both arms and experience-but the roster still feels like it’s in motion.
The infield remains a potential area of focus, but the real intrigue right now? The outfield and the rotation.
Let’s start with the arms. When the Red Sox signed Ranger Suárez, they didn’t just bolster their starting rotation-they made it a legitimate 10-man deep group.
That kind of depth doesn’t just happen by accident, and it rarely stays intact for long. A rotation that deep almost always leads to trade conversations, and Boston is already fielding calls.
But the more immediate trade buzz isn’t about the pitchers-it’s about the outfield. Specifically, Jarren Duran.
Despite the offseason departure of Alex Bregman to the Cubs and the flurry of moves that followed, Boston’s stance on Duran hasn’t shifted. According to reports, the Red Sox still view him as their most likely trade candidate among a crowded group of outfielders.
And that’s not a knock on Duran’s talent. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Duran is coming off a strong 2025 campaign, posting a 4.7 bWAR and a .774 OPS-numbers that reflect both consistency and impact. He’s a former All-Star, he’s entering his prime, and he’s under team control for three more years. That’s the kind of profile that makes rival GMs pick up the phone.
But here’s the reality: Boston has four capable outfielders, and only three starting spots. Roman Anthony is untouchable.
The team is committed to keeping both Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela. That leaves Duran-despite his production-as the odd man out.
And with a projected $7.7 million salary for 2026, moving Duran could help the Red Sox in multiple ways. It clears up the logjam in the outfield, it frees up payroll flexibility, and it could net them a valuable return-either a controllable infielder or more pitching depth to flip later.
This isn’t the first time Duran’s name has been floated in trade talks. He was mentioned during the 2025 season, and the noise hasn’t quieted down. Now, with the roster starting to take shape and the financial picture clearer after Suárez’s $130 million deal, the timing might be right.
The Red Sox have options. They’ve got a surplus of pitching, a crowded outfield, and a front office that’s clearly not afraid to make bold moves. Don’t be surprised if Duran is on the move in the coming weeks-because the interest around the league is real, and Boston is listening.