Given their long list of needs and recent history of blockbuster trades, the Boston Red Sox are expected to be active in the trade market again this offseason.
Boston has one of the best farm systems in MLB and plenty of young talent in the major leagues from which it can trade. The Sox also have a logjam in their outfield that could use clearing, and a frequent trade candidate has re-emerged in rumors early this offseason.
MLB insider Jim Bowden named Jarren Duran the fourth-likeliest star player to be traded this offseason (behind Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta and Hunter Greene). Duran's name has been floated in trade rumors multiple times before, and Bowden writes that the Red Sox could really make the move this time since they see their outfield of the future as Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu.
They aren't the only three players who need jobs in the outfield. Boston still has to find a home for Masataka Yoshida, who has been difficult to trade in offseason's past due to his big contract that doesn't match up with his production so far in the major leagues. The Red Sox have also had talks with Rob Refsnyder about a potential reunion, Kristian Campbell could find himself in the outfield and top prospect Jhostynxon Garcia will likely be fully ready for MLB by Opening Day.
MLB insider Jim Bowden rekindles Jarren Duran trade rumors amid Red Sox market buzz
Duran's athleticism and past successes have made him a popular trade target by teams in need of outfield help. He regressed on both sides of the ball in 2025, but Duran earned his first All-Star appearance in 2024 after a breakout season at the plate and on defense. He slashed .285/.342/.492 with an .834 OPS, led MLB with 48 doubles and 14 triples, and came in eighth place in AL MVP voting.
His 2025 campaign showed that Duran could use a change of scenery to thrive. He slashed .256/.332/.442, stole 24 bases and posted -4 outs above average in the outfield, which ranks in the 18th percentile among outfielders.
Bowden named the Phillies, Dodgers, Tigers, Guardians and Rangers among the clubs that could potentially be interested in a trade for Duran. The Padres have also expressed a desire to trade for Duran on multiple occasions, but they were notably left out of Bowden's list of suitors.
The Red Sox could trade Duran just to clear some of their outfield traffic, or he could be part of a deal to bring elite pitching behind Garrett Crochet in the rotation. Boston has been loosely linked to Skubal, Peralta, Greene and Joe Ryan already in this young offseason — if any of their current clubs want an instant boost in their big league outfield, they could request Duran's inclusion in a trade rather than a package of just prospects.
Duran's name has come up in trade rumors so many times that it seems almost certain he'll be moved this winter. Abreu, Campbell and Garcia could also be on the trade block beside Duran, and Boston's outfield picture could look drastically different by Opening Day 2026.