Jarren Duran has been one of the biggest disappointments of the Boston Red Sox's season. Just two years removed from a 9.0 bWAR season and being eighth in American League MVP voting, the lefty has yet to eclipse 1.0 bWAR in 82 games in 2026.
His struggles have really compounded the Red Sox's offensive problems this season. In the 42 losses he's played in this season, he's hitting .171 with a .517 OPS. In the 40 wins he's played in, it's a .231 average and .736 OPS.Â
Despite his major struggles on offense, Duran still is a valuable player and should still have value on the trade market should the Red Sox look to move him. The 29-year-old has shown in the past that he can still be a positive impact even when the offense isn't elite as it was in 2024. In 2025, Duran posted a 4.9 bWAR with an OPS at .774, 70 points lower than it was the year prior.Â
Speed and defense give Duran a floor that other players don't have. Every year the lefty has been in the league, he has been in the 91st percentile or higher in sprint speed. After struggling in the field in 2025, he is six outs above average in 2026. He also has raw power that helps his upside.
Red Sox's Jarren Duran can provide a spark to anyone who tries to trade for him
Even while struggling this season, Duran has 13 home runs and 14 stolen bases. The only other Red Sox players to do that in the first half of the season since 2000 are Andrew Benintendi (2018), Trevor Story (2025), and Mookie Betts (2016-18). He provides a power-speed combo that can wreak havoc on the base paths.Â
It's still unclear what direction Boston will take at the deadline. Their early July winning streak has placed them firmly in the playoff hunt. That being said, the Sox still need to clear the outfield logjam. Even though Roman Anthony’s timeline remains unclear but the hope is he’ll be back before the end of the season.
Duran really struggled when he wasn't an everyday player. Even if the Sox decide to buy, using Duran as a piece to make upgrades elsewhere on the roster could be the way to go. While he definitely doesn't have the value of the 2024 version of himself, he is an extremely useful player who can help a team to a championship.
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