As of June, the 2025 season is quietly slipping away from the Boston Red Sox’s grip. Currently at 29-34, the team is nine games behind the Yankees in the AL East. They are clearly on the edge, and with the trade deadline looming, the speculations have begun surfacing around the potential trade moves. The one name that is floating around is the Red Sox’s $38.5 million star, who is drawing some serious interest from MLB teams.

Picked up on the hints? It’s their outfielder, Jarren Duran. The one team in particular showing major interest in him is the San Diego Padres.

It’s not the first time the Padres have shown interest in Duran. It was back in 2024 when they were eyeing him, but nothing materialized. Now, for what it’s worth, their current situation has added a sense of urgency.

While the Padres are definitely interested in this trade idea, given their outfield situation, are the Red Sox just as interested? Well, multiple teams, including the Padres, have reached out to the Red Sox for Jarren Duran. But, the Red Sox’s chief baseball officer, Craig Breslow, is reportedly not willing to move Duran or jump at offers just yet. He is willing to discuss, but won’t be finalizing anything anytime soon.

Duran will be under the Red Sox control until 2029. He’s attractive to many teams across the league. In 2024, he had an All-Star season and slashed .285/.342/.492 at the plate with his career-high 21 home runs. But his 2025 production has regressed a little bit in comparison to the last two seasons.

The Padres are expected to go all in for Duran. They had a stunning 14-3 start to the season. However, now, they have tumbled into a 19-21 skid. After their 21-run explosion against the Colorado Rockies, the Padres have recorded a terrible OPS in the majors, across 18 games. In fact, they have been ranked third-to-last in terms of runs. Not to forget, the growing concerns with their offense, especially after Gavin Sheets’ exit on Sunday.

Sheets slammed into the left field wall as he was attempting to steal Pirates’ second baseman Frazier’s home run at Petco Park. This resulted in causing multiple injuries. However, the Padres are not putting him on the injured list, as he’s expected to recover soon. But either way, even if he’s back, the Padres would still like to sign Duran.

With the trade buzz growing louder, the Red Sox and Breslow will have to land on a decision soon.

The Padres want Duran—but do they have what the Red Sox need?

Jarren Duran has become a fan favorite with his dominance and has also been a key piece of the Red Sox’s lineup. So, if he gets traded, the Red Sox nation would likely get upset.

However, keeping Duran aside, the Red Sox’s outfield situation is already crowded. And then, there’s Roman Anthony too. He’s arguably the number one prospect right now and might make his MLB debut soon.

Insider Jim Bowden from The Athletic appeared on the Foul Territory podcast and according to him, if the Red Sox trade Duran, it’ll not be a surprise.

“It would not surprise me at all if Craig Breslow, the GM of the Red Sox, plans to trade Duran. Because otherwise, why haven’t you made room for Anthony? It just doesn’t make sense,” Bowden said.

The thing is, Anthony’s debut is highly awaited. And the Red Sox haven’t made space for him yet. So they might trade Duran. But the concern is something else altogether. “Now, the problem with the rumor is there’s really not a fit between the Padres and the Red Sox,” Bowden added.

Simply because they don’t have the same farm system they used to have, Bowden believes the Padres don’t have a Duran-equivalent player to trade off. Do you agree?