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The Red Sox's interim third base coach, Chad Epperson, had high praise for Franklin Arias

The Boston Red Sox may need to make wholesale changes this season. After firing manager Alex Cora, blame is being tossed around in every direction within the organization, and it’s just not a healthy environment.

One of those wholesale changes could be moving on from All-Star outfielder Jarren Duran, who has underperformed tremendously this season. Per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Jarren Duran is expected to be one of the “hottest trade commodities” on the market. Should the Red Sox consider offloading Duran to the Atlanta Braves in a deal that would net Boston two pitchers?

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)

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Is it Time for the Red Sox to Trade Jarren Duran?

After beating most of the offseason trade speculation, Jarren Duran was supposed to be a big piece of this current Red Sox team, but a slow start has led many to believe he will be one of the bigger names dealt this summer.

In this MLB mock trade by Heavy Sports, the Red Sox trade Jarren Duran to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for starter Grant Holmes and prospect arm Owen Murphy.

Jarren Duran’s 2026 stats: .186 batting average, three home runs, five doubles, 21 hits, 57 OPS+, 113 ABs.

Once an All-Star in 2024, Duran has regressed at the plate ever since, but this is a good opportunity for the Braves to buy low on Jarren Duran and hope there’s some positive regression in his bat. With the injuries to Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mike Yastrzemski’s little production, there’s reason to believe the Braves could use another corner outfield bat.

And this trade proposal would net the Red Sox more assets IF Duran hadn’t been struggling so much this season. Over 35 career starts and 220+ innings, Grant Holmes has an ERA of 3.92, and he might be the most expendable arm in the Braves’ rotation at this moment.

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Current State of the Red Sox

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)

Given the current state of the Red Sox, Boston might have no choice but to be sellers come the summer months.

It’s the tough reality, because such high expectations were coming into the season, but firing Alex Cora hasn’t really made much of a difference, and again, blame is being tossed all around the Red Sox clubhouse right now.

Maybe it’s Craig Breslow’s fault, maybe it’s not… there’s always the need for a scapegoat, but the main issue with the Red Sox right now is their players aren’t performing on the field, and that includes Jarren Duran.

Boston’s outfield situation has been well documented since way before the season, but with Ceddanne Rafaela and Roman Anthony under contract, that leaves really either Duran or Masataka Yoshida as trade candidates, and even Yoshida has outhit Jarren Duran to this point.

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