The MLB offseason has been nothing short of a whirlwind, and the Boston Red Sox have been right in the thick of it. It all kicked off with Alex Bregman leaving Boston behind to sign with the Chicago Cubs-a move that left a sizable hole in the Red Sox infield and forced the front office into action.
Their response? A bold $130 million deal for left-hander Ranger Suárez, adding a proven arm to the rotation but doing little to address the infield depth chart.
As the free-agent dominoes continued to fall-Kyle Tucker landing with the Dodgers for $240 million and Bo Bichette heading to the Mets for $126 million-the Red Sox found themselves at a pivotal crossroads. With some of the top names off the board and their own roster still in flux, Boston is now staring down another major decision: whether to trade outfielder Jarren Duran.
According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, the odds of Duran being moved have shifted dramatically over the last few weeks. Earlier in the offseason, it looked like a near-lock that he’d be part of the Opening Day roster.
Now? It’s closer to a coin flip.
That 50-50 projection isn’t just idle speculation-it reflects real movement behind the scenes. The Red Sox are dealing with a logjam in the outfield, and Duran, despite his breakout potential and electric speed, might be the odd man out. Combine that with the team’s glaring need for infield help-especially after Bregman’s departure-and the logic behind a Duran trade becomes hard to ignore.
There’s also no shortage of interest in Duran. His athleticism, improved bat-to-ball skills, and ability to impact the game on the basepaths make him an appealing target for teams looking to add a dynamic outfield presence. That opens the door to a variety of trade scenarios, including the possibility of a three-team deal that could net the Red Sox a much-needed infielder.
One name that’s been floated is Mets third baseman Brett Baty. If New York is willing to move on from the young corner infielder, a straight-up swap involving Duran could make sense for both sides. The Mets, having just added Bo Bichette, might be more inclined to shuffle pieces around, and Duran would give them another speedy option in the outfield.
Of course, nothing is imminent yet. But with spring training fast approaching and Boston’s infield depth still a work in progress, it’s clear that chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is working the phones. Whether it's a one-for-one swap or something more complex, the Red Sox are actively exploring ways to address their roster imbalance-and Duran is right at the center of those discussions.
So as the offseason dust begins to settle, Red Sox fans should keep a close watch on the rumor mill. The front office has already shown it’s willing to make bold moves, and if the right deal presents itself, Jarren Duran could be the next big name on the move.