Matt Johnson
The Boston Red Sox have been one of the biggest disappointments in Major League Baseball this season, entering play on Friday with the worst record in the American League. The Red Sox lineup has been the primary problem, raising questions about outfielder Jarren Duran’s future with the team.
Robert Murray of Fansided.com wrote that Durran has long been a target for San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller and would have interest around the league. While Duran might also benefit from a change of scenery, Murray doubts that Boston will move him this summer.
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- Jarren Duran contract (Spotrac): $7.7 million salary (2026), arbitration eligible (2027-’28)
Duran, age 29, earned an All-Star selection in 2024. He finished that campaign with 21 home runs, 14 triples, 75 RBI and a .285/.342/.492 triple-slash line with an .834 OPS. He still managed to put up 16 home runs and 13 triples with 84 RBI and a .774 OPS this past season.
However, he’s been in a prolonged slump dating back to September 2025. Across his last 187 plate appearances, Duran has struck out in 26.2 percent of his plate appearances with a .216/.283/.345 triple-slash line.
- Jarren Duran stats (ESPN): .198/.261/.296, .558 OPS, 1 home run, 23-6 K-BB in 81 ABs
In terms of his advanced numbers, per Baseball Savant, he ranks in the 2nd percentile for Whiff rate (39.6 percent), the 20th percentile for Chase rate (25.1 percent), and he places in the 23rd percentile for expected batting average (.219). He’s still an excellent base runner who is a plus defensively (80th percentile Outs Above Average), but he’s shown no signs of rounding back into form at the plate.
Boston would be selling him at an all-time low in his trade value, and given his history, the club is much more inclined to keep him and hope for a turnaround. If the Red Sox are unable to dig themselves out of this hole by the start of July, though, multiple teams will likely be inquiring about Duran ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
