Red Sox’s Nate Eaton trade leaves Padres’ Jarren Duran hopes alive

So, Boston traded an outfielder, but that doesn’t mean the Padres don’t have every reason to ask about another one. That’s where we should land after the Red Sox sent Nate Eaton to the Athletics for minor league pitcher Jareth Rayo. Besides being excited about anything happening in the offseason before an inevitable halt, the deal gets Boston’s offseason moving. But a more interesting piece remains for San Diego.

A guy named Jarren Duran is still there. So are Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu. Boston still has to decide how that group fits together, how much playing time everyone gets and whether dealing from the outfield can improve the rest of its roster.

Hopefully A.J. Preller is all over this. Eaton’s departure doesn’t meaningfully lessen the Padres’ chances of landing Duran. It gives Boston one fewer outfielder without settling the question that has kept Duran’s name circulating through trade discussions. The Red Sox can clear space at and still have a substantial decision waiting for them.

Padres still have a reason to keep calling about Jarren Duran

There’s an actual reporting foundation beneath the speculation. Sean McAdam recently reported that Boston is widely expected to explore trading Duran this winter while tendering him a contract. Eaton’s departure gives us little reason to assume that possibility is no longer under consideration.

Jon Heyman recently pointed to the Padres as a possible destination because of their longstanding interest in Duran. The appeal is there. The Friars need an everyday left fielder. It would be nice to have one with speed and the ability to cover ground. That would give the Padres a more settled outfield alongside Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. Duran offers a version of that outcome worth looking into.

We can like the fit and still expect Preller to negotiate like he has seen the recent results. The Red Sox have options. They can rotate their outfielders, use the DH spot and hold Duran if the offers disappoint. Questions about Anthony’s health also give Boston a practical reason to value depth, too.

Still, keeping everybody carries its own roster consequences. Boston has to weigh whether the benefits of holding its outfield together outweigh what a trade could bring elsewhere. And moving Eaton barely touches that calculation. He logged just 60 plate appearances across 24 games for Boston in 2026, batting .160 with a .560 OPS, while spending 84 games at Triple-A Worcester. Those are the numbers of a depth piece. His departure frees a roster spot, but it does little to settle who gets the everyday at-bats that keep Duran’s future relevant to the Padres.

Eaton’s trade offers no proof that Duran is getting cheaper. It offers no convincing reason to cross him off San Diego’s board, either.

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