Matt Marton-Imagn Images

ESPN's Jeff Passan: Red Sox Star 'Strongly' Linked to Padres

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Douglas Santo | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 12:28 PM ET

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has recently been in the middle of trade talks. Duran is 28 years old and coming off an All-Star season. His numbers have dipped a little this year, but he's still put up a strong start to 2025.

With the Red Sox's recent hot streak, they'll likely be a mix of buyers and sellers at the MLB trade deadline. Recently, the Padres have become the favorite to land Duran if the Red Sox decide to move the outfielder at the deadline.

ESPN's Jeff Passan believes the Padres' best move at the deadline would be to acquire Duran to play left field and solidify their outfield.

"No player and team have been linked as strongly as Duran and the Padres -- and that's without any knowledge of how the Red Sox intend to handle the deadline," Passan wrote. "Roman Anthony's emergence has put Boston in a position to float Duran and Wilyer Abreu in trade discussions, and whether it's now or over the winter, Boston wants to use its surplus of bats to fill voids elsewhere."

The #Padres “have been relentless in their pursuit” of #RedSox OF Jarren Duran and “have repeatedly approached” BOS regarding Duran, per @Sean_McAdam pic.twitter.com/SeOIVswJxd
— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) July 11, 2025

The Red Sox also have Masataka Yoshida back healthy, and although he's playing more of a DH role, Boston simply has too many guys to play each night. With the young developing talent the Red Sox have, moving on from Duran may be their best option, especially if they can get a haul in return.

As for the Padres, it seems like the dream move. Passan mentions the Padres' struggle to find a reliable left fielder this season, and Duran could be the perfect solution.

"Left field in San Diego is among the biggest voids in the game. The Padres have tried eight players in left this season, and collectively they're barely have an OPS of over .600. A Duran-Jackson Merrill-Fernando Tatis Jr. outfield would be a factory of dynamism that would be under team control through the end of the 2028 season," Passan added. "The Padres might need to get creative -- beyond shortstop Leo De Vries (who's believed to be off-limits) and catcher Ethan Salas, their farm system is middling -- but nobody does creativity like GM A.J. Preller.

"And whether that means facilitating a deal through a third team or including one of their high-leverage relievers such as closer Robert Suárez, San Diego is willing to go places most other organizations would never consider."

San Diego currently sit five and a half games back in their division and a half game back in the wild card race. The Red Sox have won 10 of their last 12 games to put themselves in nearly an identical spot. Boston is five games back in their division and hold the final wild card spot.

Boston trading Duran to the Padres seems like a win-win for both sides, but it could come at a steep price. However, as mentioned above, that hasn't stopped San Diego in the past.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: