Following a breakout 2024 season, it seemed like Jarren Duran was going to be a staple in the Boston Red Sox's outfield for a long time. He was a Silver Slugger finalist, a Gold Glove finalist in centerfield, and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting. Things didn't go as well in 2025, though.
He wasn't as consistent at the plate this season and didn't transition smoothly to left field. Coming back down to earth, combined with Ceddanne Rafaela taking a huge stride forward and Roman Anthony setting the world on fire after his call-up, made his spot in the outfield less safe. This all culminated in trade rumors around the deadline when the Red Sox were looking to make a major upgrade in their rotation.
While Duran survived the 2025 season in Boston, it seems less likely that he will be a Red Sox in 2026. The Red Sox are still looking to make a splash in the rotation, and trading him (and/or Wilyer Abreu) to clear the logjam in the outfield seems like the easiest path. While he wasn't a good defender in left, he showed premium defense in the more valuable center field, was still solid at the plate this season, and has three years left of team control; all of that make him a highly valuable trade asset. The question then becomes, which teams are the best fits for the Sox?
3 ideal Jarren Duran trade partners for the Red Sox
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds and Red Sox feel almost like a perfect match. Cincinnati needs to upgrade its outfield badly. They had a rotating cast of outfielders this season, with center fielder TJ Friedl the only outfielder to play in more than 110 games (he played in 152). Friedl was also their only outfield to eclipse two bWAR. Duran likely would stick in left for the Reds, but he may fare better in their left field without the Monster behind him.
Cincinnati also has a surplus of quality starters. While there is some speculation that ace Hunter Greene could become available, even if he doesn't, they have plenty of other arms with high upside and years of control that they could trade away. Swapping Duran for Andrew Abbott or Nick Lodolo could also make a lot of sense for both sides. The Reds just made the playoffs for the first time in a non-shortened season since 2013. They are going to want to make it back there next year, and adding Duran could be a major push towards them doing so again.
Atlanta Braves
Unlike the Reds, the Braves just missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017. While they could look to tear it all down and reset, with a large chunk of their core still under contract for a while, it feels more likely they retool and try to make back in 2026. Last season, Jurickson Profar played the most games in left field for Atlanta, despite missing 80 games due to a suspension. Profar is a bad defender, though. With Marcel Ozuna set to be a free agent, it would make a lot of sense to move Profar to DH and bring in another left fielder.
Similar to the Reds, the Braves also have a lot of young, talented starters. While they may not have the true No. 2 the Sox are looking for (or aren't going to be willing to part with the ones who are), they have plenty of guys who, with some development, have the potential to be a No. 2. Craig Breslow and Andrew Bailey have shown the ability in just two years in Boston to help pitchers reach their best. Trading Duran for one of those arms could be just the solution the Sox need.
Kansas City Royals
It was a disappointing season for the Royals, who had hoped to build on their 2024 season when they won 86 games and made the playoffs. Instead, they won four fewer games and missed the playoffs. They need to find more talent to put around Bobby Witt Jr. The outfield was a big weakness for them. Duran could play either left or center in Kansas City and provide another power-speed threat in the lineup next to Witt.
The Royals had a few arms develop this season, and could now use their surplus in a trade. While their young arms may not interest the Sox, acquiring one of their veterans, like Michael Wacha or Kris Bubic, could make a lot of sense. Bubic especially had a really good season and has No. 2 upside, and Wacha could be a stabilizing innings eater in the middle of the rotation. While it wouldn't be the flashiest move, it certainly would make a lot of sense for both sides.