The phone hasn’t stopped buzzing in the Red Sox front office, and the number lighting it up most frequently belongs to San Diego. As Boston navigates the gray area between playoff hopeful and deadline dealer, one team has made its intentions crystal clear. The Padres aren’t just interested, they’re persistent. And they want one man in particular.

That man is Jarren Duran, Boston’s electric outfielder and perhaps the most underappreciated weapon in MLB’s trade rumor mill. Earning just $3.75 million this season and under team control through 2028, Duran has become a front-office dream, with elite speed, growing pop, improving defense, and the kind of infectious energy that transforms a lineup. The Padres, battling inconsistency and underwhelming production in left field, see Duran as the perfect solution.

“Relentless” is how one industry source described San Diego’s pursuit. But here’s the twist: the Padres may not be able to offer what Boston truly wants. The Red Sox aren’t rebuilding. They’re retooling. That means prospects alone won’t cut it. Boston wants a controllable starting pitcher, someone who can slot into the rotation now and stay there through 2026 or beyond.

San Diego’s two most intriguing arms, Dylan Cease and Michael King, are both in walk years, making them a poor fit for a swap involving a player with Duran’s long-term value. King is also currently sidelined, further complicating matters. Unless Padres GM A.J. Preller can spin off top prospects like Ethan Salas or Leo de Vries to acquire a starter with term, and then flip that arm to Boston, this deal may never materialize.

That hasn’t stopped the Padres from trying. Preller, known for his aggressive and creative trade strategies, could still find a workaround. But the Red Sox are standing firm. They’re listening, but they’re not selling low. In fact, Jeff Passan, a trusted voice in MLB circles, didn’t just mention the Padres as a possible destination for Duran; he called them one of the best fits in all of baseball. “No player and team have been linked as strongly as Duran and the Padres — and that’s without any knowledge of how the Red Sox intend to handle the deadline,” he penned down last month.

As trade rumors swirl and deadline pressure mounts, one thing is certain: the Padres won’t stop calling. And in a wide-open NL West, perhaps they can’t afford to. But the plot thickened in the Windy City. The Red Sox, suddenly flush with outfield talent thanks to the rapid rise of top prospect Roman Anthony, found themselves with a surplus of bats.

The Red Sox’s seven straight wins, and no sign of slowing down

Just a couple of weeks ago, no one would’ve blamed you for questioning where the Red Sox were headed. But here they are now, streaking into mid-July with a confidence that’s hard to ignore. Thursday night’s gritty 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays wasn’t just another tally in the win column; it pushed their streak to seven straight, and it came against a Wild Card rival on the road. All of a sudden, this team looks like it’s got more than just a pulse. It’s got purpose.

This wasn’t one of those wild, 10-run explosions they unleashed on the Rockies. No, this win was earned. It was the kind of victory that good teams pull off even when the bats aren’t sizzling. The bullpen stepped up, the defense held firm, and the lineup found just enough to edge a division rival on the road, and in doing so, sent a clear message: this club isn’t backing down anytime soon.

What makes this recent streak even more impressive is the balance it has maintained. Boston isn’t leaning on one or two hot bats. Instead, they’re getting meaningful contributions from all corners. Masataka Yoshida’s return has energized the offense. Rob Refsnyder keeps doing damage against lefties. And young outfielders like Ceddanne Rafaela and Anthony are bringing speed, swagger, and production every day. The rotation has been steady in its own right. The bullpen, which is anchored by Aroldis Chapman and Jordan Hicks, is starting to look like a real late-inning weapon.

For a team still figuring out who’s staying or going as the trade deadline approaches, this stretch of winning hasn’t just kept them afloat; it’s put them squarely in the mix.