The Red Sox took a gamble this week by making a move on slugger Rafael Devers, one that made some sense in terms of the construction of the roster, the direction of the team and, of course, the way Boston aligns defensively. But the team took slings and arrows from a large swath of the fan base, who saw the trade of Devers as part of a recent legacy of dumping stars–first Mookie Betts, then Xander Bogaerts, and now Devers.
Surely, the Red Sox would not run it all back and pull off another blockbuster trade of a popular star before next month’s trade deadline?
Well, maybe, as The Athletic sees things.
On Wednesday, the site put out its first “Big Board” ahead of the July trade deadline, which tracks the top players who could be moved on the market. As the authors of the list wrote, “Here’s our MLB trade deadline Big Board — 30 names that could move in the next six-plus weeks and affect a pennant race.”
And first on the list? It’s a popular Red Sox star.
Jarren Duran Ranks No. 1
That would be Jarren Duran, the hustling, grinding, excitable outfielder who managed to earn an All-Star berth last season while driving a better-than-its-parts offense. This year, Duran has dipped back to his mean performance, his OPS dropping from .834 to .733. But he remains a dynamic force in left field, and leads the league with eight triples, also adding 14 steals.
The Red Sox are not seeking a Duran trade, but with a glut of outfielders–including Wilyer Abreu, who’s also on the trade board–he would make some sense to trade.
The site writes: “There’s little reason for Boston to even entertain offers for Duran unless the return is substantial. His production has predictably fallen short of his 2024 breakout, but Duran remains a solidly above-average hitter with lots of speed and the ability to play center field.
“Perhaps most importantly, he’s under team control through 2028, making him a player teams can build around. Of course, even with a sudden influx of stud prospects joining the lineup, the Red Sox could continue to build around him, too. The Padres have already been linked to Duran and surely they won’t be alone.”
Abreu ranks No. 7 on the Big Board, and pitcher Walker Buehler is No. 19.
Red Sox Expecting to Add at the Trade Deadline
Also worth noting–the Red Sox are considered sellers by The Athletic’s metrics because they have less than a 30% chance of earning a playoff spot, per FanGraphs. But Boston only barely falls below that number, at 28.6%.
And team chief Craig Breslow said this week he expects to fill holes at the trade deadline, not to sell off parts.
“Starting pitching could be an opportunity for us to continue to upgrade,” Breslow said. “Also, we’ve had our share of both bullpen injuries and inconsistency trying to get the ball to Aroldis (Chapman) who has been so good late in games. That’s another potential pathway. Then, we have to start thinking about what a long-term solution looks like at first base.
“Triston’s rehab is going well but it’s going to be a long road there. We’re absolutely going to look at the best use of those resources and could potentially use that as early as the 2025 trade deadline.”
Red Sox Star Tops List of MLB Trade Candidates After Devers Deal