Rafael Devers and the Red Sox parted ways after a tension-filled start to the season. He recently signed a large contract extension but refused to play first base after a season-ending injury to Triston Casas. He was once a cornerstone of the franchise, but they traded him and his remaining contract, exceeding $250 million, to the San Francisco Giants.
Boston may be looking to move another star, Jarren Duran. They traded away the face of their franchise by moving Devers, but could still have the best player available before the trade deadline. Duran has had a disappointing season thus far, but will garner a lot of buzz from many teams. They will not want to move him without a substantial return, but rumors have been swirling around Duran all season.
Red Sox’s Youth Transformation Could be Underway Before the Deadline
Duran has fallen short of expectations in 2025. He batted .285 with 21 home runs in 2024. He also posted a .834 OPS and an 8.7 WAR. Those numbers have dipped drastically in 2025. He is batting .257 with a .714 OPS so far this season. He only has five home runs and a 1.2 WAR. Boston’s leadoff batter has not performed in the same fashion as the last two seasons, and Boston may be looking to part ways with Duran before the deadline.
He is under team control through 2028, which makes him a player that teams could build around. The 28-year-old still has a lot of upside in his career, but Boston is turning to the younger players in their system. Outfielder Roman Anthony was recently called up, and 24-year-old Ceddanne Rafaela has had a stellar season in his third year with the team.
Ceddanne Rafaela is outperforming Jarren Duran through June 22nd and the trade rumors are starting to swirl. pic.twitter.com/oMK3agqcez
— Section 10 Podcast (@Section10Pod) June 23, 2025
Rafaela is batting .255 with eight home runs and a .719 OPS, which has surpassed Duran’s in June. Rafaela has a .920 OPS in June and is batting .299. His recent dominance may make it easier for the Red Sox to move Duran before the deadline. The outfield in Boston now has four players competing for regular reps moving into the second half of the season.
Duran, Rafaela, Anthony, Wilyer Abreu, and Rob Refsnyder give Boston a lot of options in the outfield, and Duran makes the most sense to be a part of another big trade.
Ceddanne Rafaela: .722 OPS
Jarren Duran: .710 OPS
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) June 22, 2025
Boston could be looking to add a power-hitter or a few prospects as the team builds for the future. The San Diego Padres showed a lot of interest in Duran ahead of the 2024 season and need a consistent bat in the bottom of the order, which Duran provides.
They have several prospects that could help the Red Sox in the future. Shortstop Leo De Vries tops the list as the third-ranked prospect in baseball. He is 18 and could be the future of the franchise. The next player the Padres could offer is catcher Ethan Salas, the 29th-ranked prospect in baseball.
The Rockies could be another suitor and would provide the Red Sox with an instant bat in the lineup. He is primarily a third baseman but has spent time at first base in the early part of his career. He would also give Boston a chance to make the playoffs in 2025.
They are fourth in the AL East (six games back) and are in the thick of the wild card hunt. They are just on the outside of the Blue Jays, who are two games from the Red Sox. The Guardians and Mariners are also right inside the Red Sox, so Boston still has a solid chance of earning a wild card bid. McMahon is an intriguing player to keep in mind as the rumors swirl around Jarren Duran before the deadline.
