The Boston Red Sox had high hopes for the 2025 season after adding Garrett Crochet and Alex Bregman over the winter. However, injuries and poor play have derailed those hopes.
After games on May 11, the Sox find themselves nine games out of first place and in fourth place of arguably the toughest division in MLB. If the front office decides to become sellers this season, Jarren Duran will be a popular target. After top prospect Roman Anthony's call-up, the Red Sox have a crowded outfield. Wilyer Abreu and Masataka Yoshida are both on the injured list, but Abreu isn't expected to be out long.
When he returns, the team must decide which of their five outfielders to fill three spots in the order. Duran's name has popped up a lot lately in trade rumors, and Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report listed 10 potential trade packages for the outfielder. The package Rymer wrote for the Doogers includes three top prospects — Dalton Rushing (No. 2), Jackson Ferris (No. 3) and Emil Morales (No. 6).
The Red Sox can use some young left-handed pitching and Ferris fits the bill. He's struggled this season with a 5.73 ERA over 48 2/3 innings, but he never exceeded a 3.40 ERA in his previous two minor league seasons. The lefty can touch 93-95 miles per hour with his fastball, developed a slider with the Dodgers that can hit the mid-80s, and has a changeup that hits in the upper-70s.
Ferris is projected to make his MLB debut next season. Rushing would offer some flexibility in the lineup now, as he could log innings at the catcher, first base, and outfield positions.
Bleacher Report's Red Sox-Dodgers Jarren Duran trade could help Boston add pitching, catching, first base depth
The 24-year-old has struggled in his MLB debut this season, slashing .194/.237/.306, but he has lots of upside and could get more at-bats in Boston. He could replace Connor Wong as the backup catcher, fill in at first base if Abraham Toro or Romy Gonzalez, who aren't regulars at the position, don't work out, and platoon in the outfield against right-handed pitchers.
Although the Dodgers don't necessarily need Duran, they could use the depth in the outfield. Michael Conforto has been a massive disappointment after signing a $17 million contract in the offseason. Plus, this move gives the lineup a more conventional leadoff hitter, allowing Shohei Ohtani to move down a spot or two to leverage more RBI chances.
There aren't many cons to this trade package other than that the positions acquired aren't definitive needs but just upgrades. The Dodgers need high-quality, young pitching just as much as the Red Sox do. The Dodgers and Red Sox rank 22nd (4.16) and 21st (4.08) in team ERA this season.
The Dodgers could leverage their prospects with other teams for pitching help. However, a player like Duran, who is under contract until after the 2028 season, isn't often on the trade block. Plus, it's hard to imagine the Dodgers' batting order becoming more productive, but adding Duran at the top will do just that.
The Red Sox don't need another left-handed hitter in an already lefty-heavy lineup, but Rushing can offer some flexibility position wise. The rest of the top non-pitcher Dodger prospects are outfielders or shortstops which the Red Sox have no foreseeable need with a deep outfield and Trevor Story or Marcelo Mayer at shortstop.