Red Sox poised to retain Duran ahead of MLB deadline
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports the Boston Red Sox are likely to keep Jarren Duran, a move analysts view as a missed opportunity compared to last year’s trade window.
The Boston Red Sox are expected to retain outfielder Jarren Duran rather than trade him at the upcoming MLB deadline, despite the club’s anticipated status as sellers this summer. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the organisation intends to hold the 2024 All-Star Game MVP for the remainder of the season, hoping his performance improves to boost his trade value for the offseason.
Duran is currently experiencing a significant slump, recording a .199 batting average and a .624 OPS across 292 at-bats. While he remains under club control through the 2028 season, which provides some inherent contractual value, analysts view the decision to keep him as a strategic disappointment. The club is likely to forgo immediate returns in favour of waiting for a potential turnaround in the second half of the year.
Feinsand notes that the more probable scenario involves Boston holding Duran through the current season, hoping he regains form to move him in the offseason. This approach contrasts sharply with the market conditions of the previous year, when the Red Sox received substantial interest in the outfielder. Had the club traded Duran then, they likely could have secured a significantly higher return than what is available now.
The decision to retain Duran retrospectively highlights a missed opportunity from last season. With the team looking to offload other assets such as Aroldis Chapman, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras, keeping Duran suggests a lack of viable offers for the star outfielder this summer. If the Red Sox cannot secure a decent return this year, the strategic choice to hold him may appear increasingly questionable in hindsight.
Duran’s current form has dampened his market appeal, with his 0.5 bWAR reflecting his struggles at the plate. However, his long-term contract status ensures he remains an asset of some note. The Red Sox face a delicate balancing act, hoping that a strong second half will restore his value without further eroding his trade worthiness as the offseason approaches.
