Even with the departure of platoon specialist Rob Refsnyder to free agency, the Boston Red Sox will have a surplus of outfielders heading into 2026.
This year’s Rookie of the Year finalist Roman Anthony is set to return from an oblique injury that ended his season on September 2, and he will join newly minted Gold Glovers Ceddanne Rafaela in center field and Wilyer Abreu in right.
But the Red Sox also have Masataka Yoshida who has primarily served as a designated hitter over the past past two years, but may be called upon to play more in the outfield in 2026. The Red Sox also have their No. 6 overall prospect, according to SoxProspects.com, power-hitting Jhostynxon “The Password” Garcia biding his time at Triple-A Worcester.
And then there is Jarren Duran.
Duran Signs New Boston Contract
The 29-year-old, who will turn 30 before next season is over, is eligible for his final year of arbitration, but the team and Duran chose to set that aside and agree to a one-year, $7.7 million deal.
Nonetheless, settling Duran’s 2026 contract situation without going to arbitration may not guarantee that Duran will be playing at Fenway Park next year.
In fact, according to BoSox Injection writer Brandon Glick, his new contract may actually signal that Duran â the 2024 All-Star Game MVP â will be shipped out of town.
“Other teams were surely glad to hear that Boston’s front office settled a contract with Duran quickly after declining his option,” Glick wrote on Wednesday. “Trading for him now not only means three years of team control, but also simpler contract processes in his final two years of arbitration.”
If Duran really does become the odd man out of the crowded Boston outfield, where would he go and perhaps even more importantly, what could the Red Sox get back in return for the speedster who has stolen 58 bases and run out 27 triples over the past two seasons?
Duran to Royals?
According to a new trade proposal by Sammy James, co-host of the WEEI Radio-sponsored Red Sox podcast Play Tessie, Duran’s destination would be the Kansas City Royals.
“I have maintained all along that I don’t think Jarren Duran’s value is as high as a lot of Red Sox fans think. However, what I’m about to say is the upper echelon of what I think the Red Sox could get for him,” James said on Wednesday’s edition of Play Tessie.
“Here we go. Jarren Duran being traded to the Kansas City Royals for Vinnie Pasquantino, and the ninth-ranked prospect in the Kansas City Royals system, catcher Ramon Ramirez,” James continued.
Trade Makes KC One of MLB’s Fastest Teams
The podcast host explains the trade as being “about fit,” rather than as an equal exchange of talent. But outside of the speed-related stats, Pasquantino â a fifth-year first baseman â is not all that different than Duran based on their respective 2025 performances.
Duran’s wins above replacement (WAR) was significantly higher, 4.7 to 2.4. But Pasquantino doubled up Duran in home runs, 32 to 16.
Pasquantino’s OPS of .798 also outdid Duran’s but not by much. The Red Sox outfielder posted a .774 OPS this year.
The trade would, however, give Kansas City one of the fastest combinations in the major leagues. According to Statcast, the Royals Bobby Witt Jr. recorded the third-fastest sort speed in baseball at 30.3 feet per second, or 20.7 miles per hour.
Duran is in a tie for 12th, at 29.1 feet per second â 19.8 mph.
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