The Kansas City Royals have the pitching depth to land Boston's dynamic outfielder, and trading Kris Bubic could be the key to unlocking a deal.
The Boston Red Sox finished the 2025 season with an 89-73 record and made their first postseason appearance since 2021, but the club still has a ton of talented outfielders that has fueled trade speculation all offseason.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals went 82-80 and missed the playoffs after their inspiring 2024 run, and their biggest weakness was the offense.
If Kansas City wants to take the next step, acquiring a dynamic bat like Jarren Duran could be exactly what they need.
Passan Drops the Latest on Duran's Trade Market
ESPN's Jeff Passan shared an important update on Threads about where things stand with Duran's availability.
"The Red Sox believe Duran is worth a front-of-the-rotation starter," Passan wrote. "At this point, no one has been willing to pay that."
That asking price has reportedly kept several teams at bay, with the Royals being one of the clubs most connected to Duran throughout the offseason.
Kansas City has been uncomfortable with Boston's demands, and earlier reports suggested the Red Sox wanted All-Star pitcher Cole Ragans in return.
But there might be another path forward that works for both sides.
Why Bubic Makes Sense for Both Teams
The Royals have already shown a willingness to move pitching for offensive help this winter, and left-hander Kris Bubic could be the key to unlocking a deal.
Bubic had a breakout 2025 season before a shoulder injury ended his year early, putting up an 8-7 record with a 2.55 ERA and 116 strikeouts across 20 starts.
He earned his first career All-Star selection in July and looked like a legitimate top-of-the-rotation arm before getting hurt.
The 28-year-old is entering his final year of team control, which gives the Royals added motivation to move him now rather than risk losing him for nothing after 2026.
For Boston, Bubic represents the type of established starter they could plug right into their rotation alongside Garrett Crochet and gives them a left-handed arm they currently lack.
Duran Would Transform Kansas City's Offense
Duran put together another impressive campaign in 2025, hitting .256 with a .774 OPS while slugging 16 home runs and driving in 84 runs across 157 games.
He led the American League in triples with 13, finished third in doubles with 41, and added 24 stolen bases to show off his elite speed.
The 29-year-old outfielder also has three years of team control remaining, which makes him an attractive long-term piece for a Royals club that is trying to build a consistent winner.
Kansas City's offense ranked fifth-worst in the majors with just 651 runs scored in 2025, and they desperately need a spark at the top of the lineup.
Duran's combination of speed, power, and contact ability would give the Royals exactly the kind of dynamic presence they lacked, and pairing him with Bobby Witt Jr. could create one of the most exciting young cores in baseball.
The Bottom Line
The Royals have the pitching depth to make this trade work without giving up Ragans, who is essential to their future rotation plans.
Trading Bubic for Duran would allow Kansas City to address their biggest weakness while Boston gets the starter they have been seeking.
It may take additional pieces to complete a deal, but the framework is there for a trade that makes both teams better heading into 2026.