Boston Red Sox
“The Red Sox are valuing Duran more like the seven-win player of 2024 than his 4-win version in 2025.”
Something’s got to give in the Red Sox outfield this offseason.
With the arrival of Roman Anthony as a franchise fixture, Craig Breslow and Boston’s top brass has to make a decision with an outfield grouping that already has three presumed starters in place with Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafaela.
While Alex Cora and the Red Sox could presumably cycle one of their four outfielders through the DH spot if needed in 2026, Boston already has Masataka Yoshida set in that spot — while trading away an outfielder could help the Red Sox bolster another area on the roster.
In a new story on ESPN, MLB insider Jeff Passan tabbed both Duran and Abreu with a 50-percent chance of playing for another team in 2026.
“The Red Sox are valuing Duran more like the seven-win player of 2024 than his 4-win version in 2025,” Passan said of Duran, adding that teams like Tigers, Giants, Pirates, Mets, Reds, Diamondbacks and Phillies would all covet the speedy outfielder. “Either way, his addition can instantaneously make a team better, and Boston can hold out for a big return because the Red Sox don’t have to deal him.
“At some point, though, the Red Sox will have to move Duran or Wilyer Abreu. Keeping full-time-quality players for less than full-time roles rarely works out well.”
Duran would seemingly make the most sense as a trade chip for Boston given that he’s the oldest player among that current crop of outfielders. But, as Passan noted, it remains to be seen if a team interested in Duran’s dynamic profile will meet Boston’s asking price — especially if the team values him as the player who was one of the best players in baseball in 2024.
Abreu may not be quite as flashy as Duran, but the outfielder is a younger (26) option who has won back-to-back Gold Gloves and slugged 22 home runs in 115 games last season.
“It has long been expected that either Duran or Abreu would be dealt once Roman Anthony arrived, and with Boston seeking big bats on the free agent market, either outfielder could bring back some necessary pitching,” Passan of Abreu, who he linked to the Tigers, Giants, Pirates, Phillies, Mets, Royals and Astros.
“Abreu is three years younger than Duran, has won back-to-back Gold Gloves in right field and comes with four years of club control, which makes the high asking price understandable,” Passan added.
As painful as it might be for the Red Sox to move on from an impact player like Duran or Abreu, Boston needs to correct its current logjam — and use said trade chip to acquire another top starter or power bat.
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