As the MLB Winter Meetings draw near, the hot stove is starting to simmer - and with it comes a fresh batch of trade rumors, mock deals, and hypothetical blockbusters. One of the more eye-catching proposals floating around includes the Dodgers, the Twins, and the Red Sox in a three-team scenario that, on paper, raises more eyebrows than it does optimism.
The deal in question? It has Los Angeles sending a trio of prospects - including some of their most promising young talent - to Boston in exchange for outfielder Jarren Duran. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Joe Ryan heads to the Red Sox, despite Boston already adding Sonny Gray to their rotation.
Let’s break this down.
The Dodgers’ Needs: Rotation Depth vs. Left Field Help
At first glance, L.A.’s most obvious need might appear to be left field. But this is the Dodgers - a team that’s built to absorb positional gaps with internal depth and creative roster management. Yes, the left field situation isn’t ideal, but they managed a full season with Michael Conforto out there, and the offense still hummed.
The real concern is the starting rotation. Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell are both high-upside arms, but come with durability questions.
Shohei Ohtani, while a generational talent, is expected to return to the mound in a carefully managed role. And Roki Sasaki, the Japanese phenom, is still an unknown quantity at the big-league level.
That’s a lot of volatility for a team with championship aspirations.
Adding another reliable starter - someone like Joe Ryan - would help stabilize things. But in this mock deal, Ryan isn’t going to L.A. He’s headed to Boston, leaving the Dodgers with Duran and a lighter farm system.
Jarren Duran: Athletic, Versatile… But Worth the Price?
There’s no question Duran brings speed, athleticism, and versatility to the table. He’s the kind of player who can impact a game in a number of ways - whether it’s stretching a single into a double, tracking down a ball in the gap, or causing havoc on the basepaths. But he’s also 29 and has only two full big-league seasons under his belt.
In 2025, his production dipped - both in batting average and power - raising questions about whether his ceiling is as high as once believed. He’s a solid contributor, but not necessarily a game-changer.
And that’s where this trade starts to feel lopsided.
The Cost: A Steep Price for a Questionable Fit
To get Duran, the Dodgers would reportedly give up three prospects: Zyhir Hope, the organization’s No. 6 prospect; another ranked at No. 18; and a third in the mix. That’s a significant haul for a player whose track record is still developing.
Hope, in particular, is a name to watch. He’s a high-upside outfielder with the kind of raw tools that could eventually surpass what Duran brings to the table. If he develops as expected, this trade could look lopsided in just a couple of years.
When you break it down, the Dodgers would be sending a potential future star - plus two more promising prospects - for a player who might not even be a long-term solution. And they’re not even getting the starting pitcher (Ryan) who could actually address their more pressing need.
The Verdict: Intriguing? Sure.
Logical? Not So Much.
To be fair, this is a mock trade - a thought experiment meant to stir conversation. And even the proposal’s originator admits that all three teams would probably walk away from the table.
Still, it highlights an important point: the Dodgers are in a position where they need to be strategic, not reactionary. If they’re going to dip into their farm system, it needs to be for a player who clearly moves the needle - either by solidifying the rotation or by adding a true impact bat.
Duran is a useful player, no doubt. But for this price?
The Dodgers can - and should - aim higher. And if Joe Ryan is truly available, it would make far more sense for L.A. to go straight to Minnesota and make a deal for the arm they actually need.
The Winter Meetings always bring a mix of smoke and fire. This one feels like smoke - but it does remind us just how creative and chaotic this time of year can be.