Red Sox trade idea sends All-Star left fielder to the Padres originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The San Diego Padres lineup is already one of the best in all of baseball, but it’s going to take a lot in order to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.
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With Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill leading the lineup, there’s always room to improve.
That being said, the Padres’ left field position could add depth by completing a deal with the Boston Red Sox.
MLB mock trade: Padres trade for Jarren Duran
Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. are making nearly a combined $40 million while being two-thirds of the Padres’ outfield. However, San Diego could very well upgrade at left field while Ramon Laureano fills in the position.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer suggested that Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran could be the guy that the Padres trade for at some point this season.
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According to reports, San Diego was a team that showed interest in the 29-year-old at the trade deadline in 2025, but a deal never worked out.
Duran signed a $7.7 million contract this offseason to avoid arbitration but is still under club control through the 2028 season.
After winning the All-Star game MVP in 2024, Duran wasn’t as consistent at the plate in 2025. His power-speed combination would be something that would improve San Diego’s lineup moving forward.
Boston would most likely be asking for a lot in a deal involving the left fielder, who’s missed just five games over the past two seasons, but San Diego’s front office has been one of the most aggressive in all of baseball during trade season. This could lead to a blockbuster deal at some point in 2026.
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