Reds can (and should) offer Red Sox a better package than the Padres for Jarren Duran

San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller, as he oftentimes does at this time of year, has found his top trade target. According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, Preller and Padres have their sights set on Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran. Perhaps it's time for Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall to make a bold move and beat Preller to the punch.

If the Reds hope to make it to the MLB Postseason, and that's a big if at the moment, they're going to need to find a consistent source of offense from the top of their lineup. TJ Friedl has been Cincinnati's most reliable hitter, and while Elly De La Cruz hasn't lived up to the hype, he's had a handful of games this season that have showcased his superstar potential.

But every other bat in the Reds' lineup has been average at best. Spencer Steer's slow-start, Austin Hays' multiple trips to the IL, and Matt McLain's horrendous slump have Reds' manager Terry Francona searching for answers. The solution maybe in left field at Fenway Park.

Reds can offer Red Sox a better package than the Padres for Jarren Duran

Duran does not come without issues, but his on-field performance speaks for itself. Duran was in the AL MVP conversation last season and was selected to the All-Star Game. He finished the 2024 season with a .285/.342/.492 slash line and led the league in doubles and triples while posting a 131 OPS+.

This year, Duran is hitting .273/.318/.424 and once again leading the league with six triples; though some of that is due to playing half of his games at Fenway Park. According to Baseball Savant, Duran is in the 75th percentile or higher in average exit velocity, hard hit rate, and bat speed. There's only one player currently on the Reds roster who hits all those markers, and that's De La Cruz.

McLain is missing in action, Steer is still lagging behind, and Friedl can only do so much. If the Reds are looking for a bat, Duran should be on their radar. He's signed for just $3.8 million this season with a team-option for 2026, and the 28-year-old will not hit free agency until after the 2028 season.

He won't come cheap, but the Reds brought in Francona to win now. Trading for an All-Star caliber player like Duran is the type of win-now moves Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall needs to make this summer in order to make this team competitive.

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