Unlike last season, the Boston Red Sox got ahead of their contract arbitration discussions with outfielder Jarren Duran.
The Red Sox and Duran have agreed to a one-year deal for the 2026 season, first reported by Christopher Smith of MassLive. The deal is for $7.7 million plus incentives, per Smith.
After last winter's arbitration discussions, Duran had an $8 million option on his contract for 2026. Boston didn't accept the club option, and instead negotiated a negligible discount. Duran can earn an extra $75 thousand in player bonuses on his 2026 deal.
Duran was the only arbitration-eligible player the Red Sox didn't settle with before last season's deadline. The outfielder filed at $4 million and Boston filed at $3.5 million. Luckily, the two sides opted not to go to a hearing over their dispute, and settled for a $3.75 million deal with incentives up to $12 million, depending where he finished in the American League MVP race. He didn't place at all in 2025, so the Red Sox fought for their $300 thousand discount on 2026.
Red Sox and Jarren Duran agree on $7.7 million salary for 2026 weeks before arbitration deadlines
The Red Sox declined Jarren Duran's option and paid him a $100,000 buyout. Bonuses are $25,000 each for 450 plate appearances, 500 plate appearances and 550 plate appearances, per source. https://t.co/NMxsmEDRFQ
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) November 4, 2025
Duran's production on both sides of the ball regressed significantly from his 2024 season, when he placed eighth in the AL MVP race and earned his first All-Star. The 29-year-old slashed .256/.332/.442 with a .774 OPS, 41 doubles, 13 triples, 16 homers and 84 RBI over 157 games last season. He posted -4 outs above average, 18th-percentile range and nine defensive runs saved, down from 23 in the prior season.
The Red Sox may have wanted to get contract arbitration discussions with Duran out of the way quickly due to his potential as a trade candidate this offseason. His name has emerged in rumors in the offseason and at the trade deadline, and that many separate instances suggest the smoke doesn't come from nothing.
Boston could trade Duran just to free up a spot in its outfield — where Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu have all earned their starting roles — or he could be dealt as part of a larger deal for quality starting pitching. Abreu's name has also come up in trade discussions on multiple occasions, and the Sox could opt to move him instead of Duran to keep a veteran in the clubhouse.