The trade deadline is coming up fast, and Fenway Park is buzzing- not with excitement, but because they are worried that their favourite player could be sent to the NL. Even after the chants to keep him, the Red Sox may not have room for him on their roster, and rival teams are circling the situation with interest.

In the seventh round of the 2018 MLB Draft, he was chosen by the Red Sox, rapidly becoming a fan favorite. In 2024, he hit a game-winning home run to win the All-Star Game MVP award, and now you know it’s Jarren Duran. And the team that’s circling the interest in him is the San Diego Padres.

Word on X is: “According to team and league sources, the Padres remain enamored of Jarren Duran, who still might be viewed as expendable by the surging, outfielder-laden Boston Red Sox.” One thing is clear Padres still admire Duran’s speed, defense, and bat. But Boston thinks they have too many outfielders and don’t need him.

While the front office evaluates his worth using spreadsheets, fans remain indifferent. A viral video showed Red Sox fans gathering and chanting “Keep Duran” at GM Craig Breslow; a show of loyalty that made it apparent how the fans feel about their center fielder.

Duran’s 2025 season has been inconsistent, making this trade story hard to follow. He has a .258 batting average with 52 runs, 103 hits, 25 doubles, 8 home runs, and 50 RBIs through 93 games. HIs numbers may be lower than his breakout 2024 season, but his expected stats are better than his current results, and he remains a fast player capable of playing multiple positions.

So why would Boston even think about moving him?  Simple: too many players in the outfield. The Red Sox have a lot of good outfield options right now, like Roman Anthony, and Masataka Yoshida is also coming back from injury. And for Padres? Gavin Sheets ended up on the IL. And Jason Heyward, sidelined, their lineups look thin.

Amid all this recently, this Red Sox insider just highlighted a point that might affect the Duran’s trade.

McAdam reveals: Duran to stay for playoff push—but won’t be a 2026 Red Sox

Sean McAdam, who knows a lot about the Red Sox, recently talked about the trade rumours. It seems possible that Jarren Duran will not be traded before the deadline. McAdam said on the Fenway Insider podcast that Boston could easily add “an extra bat and a productive outfielder for the final two months” without hurting their chances of making the playoffs.

McAdam did make a long-term prediction, though. He doesn’t think Duran will be on Boston’s roster in 2026. “Long term, you cannot survive with Rafaela, Abreu, Anthony, and Duran. One of those has to go,” pointing to a packed outfield and a platoon plan at DH between Rob Refsnyder and Masataka Yoshida.

The 2025 season supports his reasoning: breakout performances from Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Roman Anthony seem good for the majors. And it has pushed Duran into a backup role. His performance is not as expected. Moreover, his age is working against him in the team’s strategic timeline.

What does it all mean? The Boston might wait until September to finalize a deal that could enhance their playoff chances.