The team seems overcrowded in the outfield as it has Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, Roman Anthony and Jarren Duran all competing for playing time. The Red Sox were linked to a trade of Duran at this past season’s deadline and never pulled the trigger, but now Major League Baseball insider Jim Bowden believes those rumors will finally come to a head.
“I’m not sure I understand why the Red Sox keep listening to offers for Duran, outside of the fact they envision their future outfield as Wilyer Abreu in right field, Ceddanne Rafaela in center field and Roman Anthony in left,” Bowden wrote for The Athletic. “Regardless, Duran’s name keeps coming up in trade rumors and it now sounds like the Red Sox will move on from him this winter.”
After a breakout, All-Star season last year, Duran regressed a bit at the plate this season, slashing just .256/.332/.442. But he’s got elite speed and faces three more years of club control before the chance to become a free agent, which should attract some trade suitors.
Bowden mentioned the Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Guardians and Texas Rangers as potential trade destinations for Duran, but he also singled out the Los Angeles Dodgers, who make a particularly compelling suitor.
The Dodgers seem to have an unanswered question in the outfield after their one-year contract for Michael Conforto fell flat this year. Conforto failed to make the team’s playoff roster and they could be back in the market for an outfield option in a few weeks.
With one of the best farm systems in baseball, the Dodgers would be able to assemble the kind of trade package that finally pushes Duran out of Boston.
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