BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 03: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after scoring on an RBI hit by third baseman Caleb Durbin (not seen) during the fourth inning of the home opener game against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 03, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

One of the biggest storylines in the offseason of Major League Baseball was whether the Boston Red Sox would trade one of their plethora of outfielders. Jarren Duran has been the subject of many of those rumors, but it was also fair to assume that Wilyer Abreu or Masataka Yoshida would also get moved.

Flash forward a few weeks into the 2026 season, and the Red Sox have struggled. Boston was recently swept by the Yankees in a three-game series and continues to dig itself a deeper hole in the standings.

Due to the struggles to start the season, plus Craig Breslow’s trade-heavy mindset, it might be time to make a decision on Jarren Duran sooner rather than later.

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Jarren Duran Tops MLB Writers’ Big Board of Trade Candidates

GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 01: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox walks off of the field after striking out against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Fenway Park on August 01, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

It’s still far too early to start thinking about impactful trades across MLB, but that’s never stopped speculation from happening, and given that the Red Sox made a massive trade in 2025 during the season way before the MLB trade deadline, anything can happen.

In SI.com’s Patrick McAvoy’s recent “2026 MLB trade deadline big board”, Jarren Duran tops the list that features names like Sandy Alcantara, Isaac Paredes, and Luis Severino:

“The Red Sox’s outfield is full and Duran has been the guy struggling the most. Boston can’t utilize five outfielders forever. At some point, something has to give. That’s why Duran is now No. 1 on this list because if the club is going to make a move, it should be as soon as possible, like last season with Rafael Devers.”

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Should the Red Sox Trade Jarren Duran Now? Or Wait for Positive Regression

GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JULY 08: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a solo home run against the Colorado Rockies during the seventh inning at Fenway Park on July 08, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

Look, the Red Sox may be tired of Jarren Duran’s antics at this point, and the script has flipped since the start of the season.

Before the season began, many Red Sox fans would have likely said that the team should trade Masataka Yoshida instead, but now, Duran is on the struggle bus at the plate, and Yoshida may actually provide more value.

Jarren Duran’s 2026 stats: 20 games, .197 average, one home run, 12 runs, 15 hits.

With manager Alex Cora also deciding to give Duran off days against southpaws occasionally, the trade speculation makes sense, and Boston could flip Duran for a bigger need like an infielder or another starter.

As the summer months approach, Jarren Duran’s name certainly isn’t going to go away in terms of trade speculation, and it will be interesting to see how Craig Breslow handles the situation.

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