Red Sox Must Replace Jarren Duran At MLB Trade Deadline
The Boston Red Sox are in playoff contention and should now be buyers ahead of the August 3 MLB Trade Deadline.
Boston won nine games in a row before the All-Star break to get them into the playoff talk, and could very well change their deadline strategy. Although the Red Sox will likely look to add some pitching help and an impact bat, Boston could also look to make a change to a starting outfielder.
The Red Sox's starting left fielder is Jarren Duran, but he's struggled this season. And, if Boston is going to be a true contender, they need to upgrade at that position.
Duran is a bit of a controversial figure, given that he's lashed out at fans numerous times and has a brash attitude. So, Boston would also benefit from moving on from him in that sense.
Yet the key reason the Red Sox should look to acquire an impact left fielder is Duran's lack of success at the plate this season. The outfielder is hitting .196 with 13 home runs and 48 RBIs, and has struck out 113 times, compared to 27 walks.
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Duran does have two more years of team control, so moving on from him would be a bold decision by the Red Sox front office. Yet, Boston has given Duran plenty of chances to prove he's an everyday outfielder, both offensively and defensively, and both have been issues at times.
At this point, if the Red Sox are going to be a true World Series contender, they need another impact bat, and a natural way to improve is to replace Duran.
Meanwhile, there will also be several impactful corner outfielders made available, like Lane Thomas of the Kansas City Royals, Jo Adell of the Los Angeles Angels, Taylor Ward of the Baltimore Orioles, and Lars Nootbaar of the St. Louis Cardinals, among others.
So, Boston will have plenty of options to replace Duran, as the Red Sox could look to shake up their core and add a much better option in the outfield than Duran.
Red Sox Have Talked About Trading Jarren Duran
Although Duran has been an impactful player for the Red Sox in the past, the team has discussed potentially trading him.
Duran's name was heavily mentioned in trade rumors during the offseason, with Boston looking to upgrade the outfield.
However, on June 23, MLB insider Robert Murray of FanSided said he still thinks it's unlikely the Red Sox will deal Duran.
"I'm still skeptical that he's moved," Murray wrote in a Reddit AMA. "They've held out in recent years despite plenty of interest when he's posted a 9.0 and 4.9 bWAR. He has a 0.6 bWAR this year. I just have a hard time seeing it happen, but if it does, [AJ Preller] is always an executive to watch. Maybe the Phillies? Mariners?"
Although Murray doesn't think Boston will trade Duran, the Red Sox's front office should seriously think about it, as Boston needs to upgrade on offense, and replacing Duran's cold bat is the best way to do so.
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This story was originally published July 18, 2026 at 7:30 AM.