Red Sox Looking for Controllable Starting Pitching in Potential Jarren Duran Trade

Red Sox Looking for Controllable Starting Pitching in Potential Jarren Duran Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

One of the Boston Red Sox's most rumored players to be traded this deadline is outfielder Jarren Duran. While teams like the San Diego Padres continue to desire Duran, the Red Sox aren't keen on moving him for little in return.

In a piece from Jen McCaffrey in The Athletic, the Red Sox have a clear requirement in any deal involving Duran. Without this requirement being met, Duran being part of a deal seems incredibly unlikely.

"If the Red Sox do trade Duran," McCaffrey writes, "They'd only do so for a controllable starter."

It's a simple asking price, but few pitchers fit such a description who are available. Most starters on the market are rentals, and the Red Sox aren't as interested in such pitchers this trade deadline.

Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins could work, though the Marlins likely aren't buying Duran, so a third team, like the Padres, would need to send prospects to Miami to make a deal work.

Moving Duran is a huge move for the Red Sox. Walking away from a deal without netting a huge asset would be a significant loss. As the outfielder is locked up through 2028, a pitcher who's under control through at least 2026 is the bare minimum return for a Duran trade.

With the lone requirement for a Duran trade being tough to meet, the Red Sox might end up holding onto the All-Star outfielder through the remainder of the year.

He could be moved in the offseason, when the Red Sox have more options and time to work out a deal. But for now, the Red Sox have a barrier of entry for any buyers interested in Duran.

The Padres, for example, have no pitchers who fit the bill of a "controllable starter." Most teams looking to buy Duran are also looking to compete, and would, most likely, be unwilling to give up a quality starter.

A Duran trade will have to be creative based on this requirement for a deal. With two weeks until the deadline, the Red Sox will listen to offers for their All-Star MVP, who could be on a new team, barring the acquisition of a multi-year starting pitcher.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.