MLB Insider Unpacks ‘Big Question’ Involving Red Sox Before Deadline

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow doesn’t intend to sell off an outfielder just because Boston has depth in the grass.

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal seems to agree with Breslow’s line of thinking.

Speaking on his “Foul Territory” podcast released Monday, The Athletic senior writer unpacked the trade speculation involving outfielder Jarren Duran. Rosenthal seems to believe it would take a legitimate return in order to deal the 28-year-old, who Breslow recently called one of his “favorites.”

“The big question, I guess with them, as we enter the deadline, or one of the big questions, is Jarren Duran,” Rosenthal said. “Will they trade him? Right now the Red Sox have an outstanding group of position players. You could argue, certainly, they have a surplus in the outfield and (designated hitter) spots and Duran could be the odd man out in that equation.

“At the same time, Jarren Duran has three-plus years of club control remaining. You don’t want to trade him for a rental, obviously. It would be perfect if you could trade him for a starting pitcher with three-plus years of control, but I don’t know that that animal will be available. So, it’s going to be really interesting to see how they play this.”

Duran has taken a slight step back from his first All-Star campaign in 2024. He’s hit .258 with a .749 OPS with eight home runs, 50 RBIs and 16 stolen based in 97 games. Still, with the Red Sox firmly entrenched in the playoff mix, it’s not difficult to understand why they would keep the well-liked Duran, who puts pressure on the defense as soon as he reaches base.

The MLB trade deadline is July 31.