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Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced sweeping lineup changes for Saturday’s game facing Tarik Skubal.

The Boston Red Sox are ready to begin their three-game series with the New York Yankees this week. It’s the first time the two AL East division rivals will square off this season. The Red Sox are off to a slow 9-13 record, but this is the type of series that can have drastic standings implications.

It may be too early to start thinking about meaningful MLB trades, but is it fair to assume that the Red Sox might be tired of Jarren Duran’s antics, and his slow start might be reason to believe he’s a top trade candidate on Boston’s roster? A recent trade idea by SI.com’s Ryan Shean proposes that the Red Sox link with the Philadelphia Phillies in a trade that would send starter Andrew Painter and pitching prospect Cade Obermuller, and SS prospect Devin Saltiban.

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Is Jarren Duran Going to be Traded?

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)

Jarren Duran has been the subject of several trade rumors, stemming from the MLB offseason. Manager Alex Cora made a clarification earlier this season that he doesn’t believe Duran will be moved, but there are certainly signs that might point to him being a top candidate, and maybe even Duran himself needs a change of scenery.

In this hypothetical trade idea, adding Andrew Painter is the centerpiece of the deal, and he might even provide more value than Duran right now. Over three starts and 18.2 innings, Painter has a 4.42 ERA and 20 strikeouts.

Duran’s 2026 stats? .164 batting average, 17 games, 11 hits, three XBH, 43 OPS+.

Those stats are almost certainly going to be subject of positive regression if he stays in the lineup, but Cora has elected to keep Duran on the bench a few times this season.

No real reports have suggested that Jarren Duran will be moved, but those rumors could gain steam here shortly.

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Do the Red Sox Need to Make a Trade?

GettyBOSTON, MA – APRIL 20: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox reaches out to hit a two-run single against the Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning at Fenway Park on April 20, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

Sorry, Red Sox fans, but the trade rumors aren’t going to go away.

Especially when you consider how active Craig Breslow was in the offseason with making meaningful moves, including acquiring Caleb Durbin, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras all via trade.

Maybe the Red Sox should consider trading either Ceddanne Rafaela or Mastaka Yoshida instead,  but aside from Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu (for now), no Boston outfielders are safe from speculation.