The San Diego Padres were one of the hottest teams in baseball during April, but their momentum slowed in May. With the competitive NL West featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Arizona Diamondbacks, the Padres can’t afford to lose ground.
San Diego boasts some of the game’s brightest stars, including Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Luis Arraez, Jackson Merrill, and Dylan Cease. However, the roster still has some clear holes—particularly in left field, at catcher, and within the starting rotation. One way to address the left field issue could be by trading for Jarren Duran.
The Boston Red Sox have underperformed this season, and as a result, there’s speculation that Duran might be on the trade block. The Padres were already likely interested, but Gavin Sheets’ recent injury from crashing into the outfield wall adds more urgency to the situation. So, what might a trade for Duran to San Diego look like?
What could Padres offer for Jarren Duran?
Trade Proposal:
Padres receive: Jarren Duran
Red Sox receive: Kash Mayfield (Padres’ No. 3 prospect), Humberto Cruz (Padres’ No. 4 prospect)
The Padres are known for making bold moves. Outside of Jackson Merrill, most of their star players have been added through major trades or high-priced free agent signings. Acquiring Jarren Duran would be another significant move in that trend—though not unexpected, especially since San Diego has reportedly expressed interest in him before.
Duran was an All-Star and one of the league’s best players last season, but his production has dipped somewhat this year after shifting from center to left field.
Still, his performance hasn’t been poor, and given the personal adversity he’s overcome—including a suicide attempt in 2022—there’s good reason to believe he can return to elite form. He’s also under team control through a 2026 option at just $8 million, meaning the Padres would get more than a short-term rental.
San Diego opened the season with Jason Heyward in left field, but the veteran—well past his prime—is now on the injured list and hitting just .176. His future with the team looks uncertain. In his absence, designated hitter Gavin Sheets has filled in, but he, too, has battled injuries after a collision with the wall during a game against the Pirates.
Although the Padres’ farm system isn’t as deep as it once was, they still have top-tier young talent in Leo De Vries and Ethan Salas. Whether Boston would demand one of them for Duran is unclear—assuming they’re even open to dealing him.
If acquired, Duran could be a great fit in San Diego. He offers speed, solid defense, contact hitting, and some pop. Last season, he led the American League in both doubles (48) and triples (14).
Would the Red Sox trade Jarren Duran?
Although the outfielder’s production has dipped and the team has had a disappointing season overall, it’s still unlikely the Red Sox would trade Jarren Duran—at least not in the near future. That’s especially true if the Padres aren’t willing to include top prospects like Ethan Salas or Dylan De Vries in a deal.
Even while sitting in fourth place in a highly competitive AL East, Boston remains within striking distance of the rest of the division. The Yankees have built a solid lead and are playing well, but the Rays and Blue Jays are only a few games ahead of the Red Sox.
Duran remains a crucial part of the roster and could play a big role in helping the team rebound. He was on the edge of MVP consideration last year, and although that may have been his breakout season, it shouldn’t be seen as a fluke.
Some speculate Duran could be traded due to the emergence of Roman Anthony, the club’s top prospect and one of the best in all of baseball. However, with stars like Rafael Devers, Alex Bregman, and Garrett Crochet already on the roster, Boston appears better positioned to add talent rather than subtract it.
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