Jarren Duran’s connection to potential trade with Padres is still realistic

As the MLB trade deadline inches closer, the San Diego Padres are once again being linked to one of the more intriguing names on the market in Jarren Duran. Despite a flurry of names being tossed around, the Boston Red Sox outfielder continues to pop up in Padres conversations — and for good reason.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Padres have made it clear they’re not just kicking the tires at the trade deadline — they’re ready to push all their chips in. “The Padres are spreading the word to every seller that they are searching for a right-handed hitting outfielder and a catcher, and aren’t afraid to deal their prospects,” Nightengale reported. “They still believe they have the team to end their World Series drought, particularly with Yu Darvish’s imminent return and potentially Michael King's shortly after the All-Star break. Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran still makes the most sense for the Padres.”

Jarren Duran trade rumors heating up again with Padres in the mix

While the Padres have been linked to a wide net of outfielders, the Duran fit feels uniquely logical. Offensively, he’s having a bit of a down year by his 2024 standards — after slashing .285/.342/.492 with 21 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases en route to an All-Star selection and an eighth-place AL MVP finish, his 2025 line sits at .257/.313/.418. The power numbers are down, but he still leads MLB in triples (10), proving his elite speed remains a game-changer on the bases. In fact, he led the league in triples last year too (14), showcasing consistency in an often-overlooked area.

Defensively, Duran would immediately represent a sizable upgrade for the Padres, who have tried to patch up left field with Gavin Sheets. While Sheets has provided a spark with the bat, his defensive limitations are evident. He’s better suited at first base or DH, and acquiring Duran would not only plug a defensive hole but give San Diego a more dynamic top-of-the-order presence with base-stealing potential.

The catch? Duran isn’t a short-term rental. With club control through 2028, Boston holds a valuable trade chip, and they are well aware of it. For the Padres to get serious, it would likely require top prospects Leo De Vries or Ethan Salas to headline any package — and possibly both if the Red Sox sense leverage.

Still, if San Diego truly believes it can contend this October, Duran checks a lot of boxes. The question isn’t whether Duran is a fit — the question is whether the Padres are willing to meet the asking price.

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