With less than two weeks until spring training, the Sox still have some roster maneuvering to do.
With less than two weeks to go until spring training, the Boston Red Sox still have some roster maneuvering to do. That said, that roster shuffling may not include outfielder Jarren Duran.
As noted by Alex Speier of the Boston Globe and relayed by Tyler Milliken of 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston, the Red Sox haven't ruled out trading an outfielder, but there's currently "no traction" on any deals involving Duran.
Reports have indicated that the Red Sox have a high threshold in a return for Duran. Clearly teams haven't been willing to meet that this offseason - at this time.
The Duran file
--Now 29 years-old, Duran will play most of the 2026 campaign at 29. He won't turn 30 until September.
--He's under team control for three more seasons (through 2028). The Red Sox avoided arbitration with him, so his $7.7 million contract for 2026 is already known.
--The All-Star MVP in 2024, Duran had a down, but still good, year in 2025. He hit .256 with 16 home runs, 84 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. He posted a 114 OPS+, leading the American League in triples for the second straight year (13).
--As was noted by Just Baseball earlier this offseason, Duran is one of only four players to have at least 150 extra-base hits since 2024, joining Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. on that list.
Where the Red Sox' issues are
Boston is facing a roster crunch when it comes to positioning. With Duran, Roman Anthony, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela, the Sox have four outfielders for three spots. Of course, one of them could play designated hitter, but Masataka Yoshida is in that spot. He has two years left on his contract.
Trading an outfielder - or Yoshida - would help alleviate this positional glut. However, Boston could elect to keep everyone, while also understanding that an injury could strike at any moment, solving the issue for them.
What do the Red Sox even need?
Boston has added Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo and Ranger Suarez this offseason, so they are really set on starting pitching. Second or third base is a position of need, but no one on the trade market (that we know of) really seems to be available who would make sense in a Duran trade.
The Cardinals are shopping Brendan Donovan, but they don't need a player like Duran as they go through a rebuild.
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