At MLB's annual general manager meetings, GMs from clubs around the league meet to lay the groundwork for potential offseason trades, and media gets the scoop on what teams are looking for.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Morosi, the Kansas City Royals will be active in the outfield trade market. This could make them an ideal trade partner for the Boston Red Sox, who have an established outfield logjam with a few attractive trade candidates who could suit Kansas City.
Jarren Duran could be an ideal target for the Royals. The outfielder posted a down season in 2025 after receiving MVP votes the year prior, and a change of scenery could do him well. He batted .256/.332/.442 with a .774 OPS over 157 games with the Sox in 2025.
Duran could potentially reverse his offensive regression at Kauffman Stadium. The park's spacious outfield make it a haven for doubles and triples, which Duran hits exceedingly well due to his 91st-percentile sprint speed. He and Bobby Witt Jr. would be a deadly combo atop the Royals' batting order.
Royals expected to be active in outfield trade market, Red Sox could send Jarren Duran to Kansas City for first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino
The Red Sox could also shore up their major league roster in a trade with Kansas City. There's no telling if he'd be available, but Vinnie Pasquantino could solve Boston's first base issues and bring a dose of power to the offense.
Pasquantino has been the Royals' starting first baseman for the past two seasons and he's become a favorite among their fans and others across MLB. The 28-year-old batted .264/.323/.475 with a .798 OPS, 33 doubles, a triple, and 32 home runs and 113 RBI would've led the Red Sox in 2025.
Pasquantino isn't a great defender at first base, with -7 outs above average and sixth percentile range. However, he wouldn't be any worse than Pete Alonso, the Sox's other first base target, who clocked -9 outs above average and second percentile range in 2025. Triston Casas isn't an excellent defender, either, as he only posted second percentile range in 2023 when he played 132 games.
The Red Sox expect Casas to be able to play in 2026 after he ruptured a patellar tendon early in the 2025 season. If Boston were to net Pasquantino or another major league first baseman in a trade involving Duran, it would have to be worth it — the Sox may have to move Casas to designated hitter, if he can find his swing again.
The Royals have more than enough first base depth to trade from. Salvador Perez signed a two-year extension with the club on November 5, and he may have to move from behind the plate at some point due to his age. He's played first base in eight of his 14 MLB seasons. Top prospect Jac Caglianone played mostly first base in the minor leagues, and he could take up the role in an everyday capacity if Pasquantino is traded.
The Royals and Red Sox could be ideal trade partners this offseason, with the right deal. Kansas City needs outfielders and Boston needs a first baseman who can slug — a swap involving Duran and Pasquantino (and maybe more from both sides) would help both teams achieve their goals this winter.