The Boston Red Sox plan to buy at the trade deadline, and fans don't have to wait much longer to see how they plan to upgrade their lineup. Rumors have swirled around a potential trade of outfielder Jarren Duran, and some proposed packages could help Boston address multiple needs to contend in the second half.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal's latest Duran trade proposal is intriguing and features a swap with the Kansas City Royals. The Royals' deadline strategy isn't obvious yet — they sit over four games behind the first Wild Card spot, but the American League has been quite volatile this season. A buy-and-sell strategy may serve them best, and the Red Sox could help meet their needs.
Rosenthal theorizes that Kansas City may be willing to trade impending free agent pitcher Seth Lugo, to get an outfielder in return. Duran would instantly upgrade the Royals' outfield staff, but it would take more than Lugo, a rental, to lure him away from Boston. Rosenthal suggests they add a few prospects to the mix to sweeten the deal. Kansas City has three catchers among its top six prospects, per MLB Pipeline, and the Sox could put them to good use.
Trading Duran would help the Red Sox clear their outfield logjam and guarantee more consistent playing time for Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela and Masataka Yoshida. Some fans may be hesitant to see Boston trade Duran, especially after he earned MVP votes in 2024, but his value is highest now, and he has fewer years of team control than Wilyer Abreu.
MLB insider names Royals and Seth Lugo as ideal trade partners for the Red Sox and Jarren Duran
Lugo could slot into the Red Sox's rotation as a clear No. 2 starter. Boston needs another consistent arm after Lucas Giolito fell back to earth from his torrid streak before the All-Star break, when he had a 0.70 ERA over six starts. Giolito has let up nine runs between his two most recent appearances, and Lugo would add a more reliable arm to Boston's mix if he continues to falter. Lugo has posted a 2.95 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, 99 strikeouts and 33 walks over 113 innings this year.
A trade involving one of the Royals' top prospect catchers would replenish the Sox's farm system after it traded former top prospect Kyle Teel to the White Sox in exchange for Garrett Crochet. No. 2 prospect Carter Jensen is the only top Royals catching prospect nearing the major leagues, although he isn't expected to debut until next year. Jensen, 22, is slashing .289/.361/.467 over 84 games between Double-A and Triple-A this year, and it would be quite difficult to pry him away from Kansas City.
The Red Sox and Royals would be great trade partners, as their surpluses suit the other club's needs. If Kansas City calls the Sox's front office to inquire about a trade for Duran, Craig Breslow should work something out to also bring Lugo to Boston.