The Boston Red Sox and Jarren Duran have agreed on a contract before their expected arbitration hearing.
The Red Sox and Duran have settled on a one-year contract for 2025 with a club option for 2026, per a release from the team. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported soon after that Duran will make $3.75 million this coming season, but the deal can escalate up to $12 million based on where the outfielder finishes in the American League MVP race.
Duran and the Red Sox were $500 thousand apart in their initial contract discussions on arbitration deadline day, Jan. 9. Duran filed at $4 million and Boston filed at $3.5 million, and the Sox were lambasted by fans and media alike for not meeting their best player's demands on time.
Luckily, they were able to settle before MLB's scheduled arbitration hearing dates from Jan. 27-Feb. 14. Arbitration is a daunting and uncomfortable process, as teams are forced to negotiate why players may only be worth a lower salary. There is so much potential for bad blood during hearings that teams prefer to avoid them altogether.
Jarren Duran and Red Sox settle on $3.75 million contract with options for 2025, avoiding arbitration
Duran’s option can escalate to up to $12M in 2025 based on MVP finish. https://t.co/xvR2bVGygE
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 17, 2025
MLB Trade Rumors projected Duran would earn $4.9 million in arbitration, which is well over what the Red Sox are willing to pay. The outfielder deserves the raise, though, after his 2024 campaign, during which he slashed .285/.342/.492 with a .834 OPS, 21 homers, the league lead in doubles and triples, an All-Star nomination and an eighth-place MVP finish.
Boston hasn't gone to an arbitration hearing since before the 2020 season. The Red Sox went to arbitration with Eduardo Rodríguez after he pitched to a 3.81 ERA with 218 strikeouts over a league-leading 34 starts in 2019. He lost his case but was awarded an $8.3 million salary for 2020, although he did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic.