Jarren Duran is the hot stove's most mentioned man™ , and for good reason. The left fielder appears to be the odd man out in a crowded outfield rotation in Boston, one that has only grown more complicated since Masataka Yoshida's 2025 debut.
There's arguments to be made for keeping Duran, a 2024 All-Star who finished eighth in AL MVP voting last season. He's a natural born leadoff hitter, with a rare mix of power and speed from the left side of the plate and the ability to defend all three outfield positions capably.
However, that varied skillset is also what makes him such an attractive trade target, and with the Red Sox's young trio of outfielders stepping up in recent weeks, it's becoming clearer than ever that Duran's future is not in Boston.
Though Duran spent a lot of time playing center field in Boston last season — and a really good center field at that — he's simply not going to displace Ceddanne Rafaela in the middle of the outfield any time soon.
Roman Anthony, Wilyer Abreu render Jarren Duran redundant on Red Sox roster
Rafaela, who is really starting to come along at the plate, is a sterling defender in center field. He leads all MLB players in Outs Above Average with 14; in a ridiculously strong year for outfield defense, Rafaela has been the cream of the crop.
In the outfield corners, the Red Sox have Wilyer Abreu and Roman Anthony. Abreu, who is second among all right fielders with four OAA, has taken another step at the plate this year, posting career-bests in ISO (.245), strikeout rate (23.8%), slugging percentage (.506), and home runs (17) while posting a 124 wRC+.
Anthony, who really needs no introduction, is the top prospect in baseball and the obvious left fielder of the future. He hasn't been great in his first taste of MLB action (79 wRC+ through 21 games), though saying his potential is sky high is an understatement.
Like Duran, both Anthony and Abreu bat left-handed, and they can capably play the outfield corners, especially when paired with Rafaela's incredible coverage in center field. Neither player is quite as much of a threat on the basepaths as Duran, though better power and on-base numbers more than make up for that.
It's true that Duran's value isn't nearly as high as it was over the offseason, but with three years of team control remaining after 2025, the 28-year-old will appeal to a number of outfield-needy teams at the trade deadline.
He doesn't necessarily have to be traded this season, but it's clear that Duran can offer other teams far more value. Rafaela, Abreu, and Anthony represent Boston's outfield of the future... and present.