Assuming the drama is over now that the trade deadline is only 24 hours away? Hold on—inside the Red Sox front office, talks over All-Star outfielder Jarren Duran are getting more heated. And certainly, he could still be on the move now that Roman Anthony is also settling in the leadoff spot, playing four straight games and going 6-for-15. This switch to Duran’s spot has added to the trade talk about Jarren Duran.

The most recent news from Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic makes it clear how serious these talks have gotten.

“As the trade deadline enters its final 24 hours, Jarren Duran’s name is still squarely in the mix, with the San Diego Padres continuing to pursue the outfielder,” McCaffrey wrote. She also noted, “Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has said publicly he does not feel the need to trade from his group of four young, controllable outfielders, Preller could force his hand.” Although Duran has been facing difficulties recently, the Padres’ strong interest illustrates how much other teams value him.

Jarren Duran’s name didn’t soar to the top just because he’s flashy; it’s also because he’s had a hard time lately.

Duran had a breakout All-Star season in 2024, playing in 160 games and hitting .285/.342/.492 for a .834 OPS. He led the league with 48 doubles, tied for 14 triples, hit 21 home runs, drove in 75 runs, scored 111 times, and stole 34 bases. That summer, he even won the MVP award at the All-Star Game.

But in June 2025, Duran hit a wall. He hit only .210 in 26 games, with 21 hits, two home runs, five RBIs, and 15 runs scored. This was by far his worst month at the plate all season. By the middle of July, he was striking out more and walking less, and his OPS had dropped as well. This was a worrisome situation for Boston, which needs consistent output this season.

With the trade of Duran, it will open doors for lineup in the Red Sox. As Jim Bowden explained, “They like the outfield of Wilyer Abreu in right, Ceddanne Rafaela in center, and Roman Anthony in left field.”

At the same time, San Diego needed a left fielder with speed and power, and they thought Jarren Duran would be a great fit. Jeff Passan said he was the “best match” for the Padres. And there have been whispers, including offers with Dylan Cease and other starting pitchers, too.

The situation is interesting because it has changed the Red Sox’s negotiation position from necessity to opportunity. Boston can now be careful rather than feel compelled to trade Duran due to roster logjam worries because Anthony has shown potential as a leadoff hitter. And that’s not it, Anthony has also made history in the Red Sox.

Roman Anthony rewrites Red Sox history as a leadoff hitter

Roman Anthony was put in charge of leading off in late July. And he quickly cut through the cacophony and became the youngest Red Sox leadoff hitter since Luis Alvarado in 1968. He changed history at the age of 21 and put the future of Boston in the forefront.

Anthony went 1-for-3 in his debut game at the top of the order. He hit his first MLB triple, scored two runs, and drove in another. This helped Boston beat the Dodgers 4–3. That kind of quick reward isn’t just new energy; it’s a real effect.

Earlier this month, Anthony also became the youngest Red Sox player to have a nine-game hitting streak since Tony Conigliaro in 1965. That uphill roll came during a season when the Red Sox really needed to be consistent and saw the possibility to build around his profile.

Anthony didn’t just break a record; he entered an elite group. He hit 17 times in 44 games, which is an insane .386 clip. This put him in the same category as Ted Williams, Tony Conigliaro, and Tris Speaker as the only Red Sox adolescents to ever have that type of production over a ten-game stretch. That’s not just good stats for a crumb; that’s performance that changes the whole franchise.

Now, if he keeps rolling like this, we are sure he will include more records to his name…