The Athletics are heading into a different-looking offseason, and one name that could fit the new direction is Jarren Duran.
After a rough 2026 season that left the A’s fourth in the AL West, the organization moved on from long-time general manager David Forst. Taylor Smith, hired from the Red Sox to take over, has already made one familiar move by bringing in former Boston player Nate Eaton.
And because Smith just came from Boston, it stands to reason he may keep eyeing players he knows well. Sonny Gray has already been mentioned as a possible winter target on the pitching side, and Duran is another Red Sox name that makes sense in that conversation.
Duran’s profile is built around what he did in 2024, when he put together a huge season. He finished eighth in MVP voting, made the All-Star team, led all MLB players in doubles and triples, and hit .285 with an .834 OPS. That version of Duran looked like a top-of-the-order force.
The last two seasons have told a different story. He posted a .774 OPS in 2025, then followed that with a rough .207 batting average in 2026. Boston no longer used him as the lineup centerpiece he had been, and he shifted lower in the order while becoming more of a platoon player down the stretch.
That kind of downturn could open the door for a change of scenery, both for Duran and for the Red Sox.
For the A’s, though, adding him would create a crowded outfield picture. Tyler Soderstrom, Henry Bolte, and Lawrence Butler are already in the mix, so there wouldn’t be an obvious spot unless the roster changed.
If Oakland were serious about Duran, Butler could be the piece that moves. He’s locked up, but his last two seasons have been uneven, even if he’s consistently been stronger after the break and slower out of the gate.
If Butler were dealt, Duran could slide straight into everyday right field. Soderstrom would likely stay in left, Bolte in center, and Duran would handle right.
Outfield isn’t a pressing need for the A’s this winter, but a move like this could still matter if Duran gets back to the level he showed in 2024.
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