How Red Sox might've missed their chance to trade Jarren Duran

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May 2, 2026 - 18:37

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How Red Sox might've missed their chance to trade Jarren Duran originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox are in the middle of a very rough 2026 season, and it would not be a surprise at all if things kept going this poorly that they traded away some players at the deadline.

If they do part with some players at the deadline, outfielder Jarren Duran would likely emerge as a likely candidate to move in a deal. But things aren't going to go well for Duran.

As MLB.com's Mark Feinsand shared from an MLB executive, while Duran might be on the move, the Red Sox might not get a lot in return like they could've last year, as Duran's struggles have tanked his trade value.

Red Sox might've missed their chance to trade Jarren Duran

"You hold onto Duran all offseason and rebuff overtures for him," one AL executive said. "I don't know what you could even get for him right now."

Last season, ahead of the trade deadline, the San Diego Padres were reportedly very interested in Duran and had some strong trade packages on the table.

Boston shut those trade talks down and kept Duran through the rest of the season and even through the offseason despite trade rumors ramping up again.

But now, Duran is hitting .173 with a .511 OPS and 44 OPS+, all the worst marks of his career so far, and some major reason for concern for a potentially interested team.

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His massive 2024 season with the Red Sox, where he had an .834 OPS and led the league in doubles with 48 and triples with 14, is a far cry from the production he's shown this season.

Even if Craig Breslow and company decided to try and actually trade Duran this year, they might've missed their chance to bring in a huge return like they could've last year at the deadline, or even over the offseason.

Duran is under club control through the 2028 season, so there's still time for Duran to turn things around and help the Red Sox bring back some value in a trade. But, it looks like the Red Sox might've missed their best chance to get a strong return in a trade for Duran.