How urgently should the Mets pursue Jarren Duran?

The July 31 trade deadline is right around the corner and the New York Mets are heavily expected to be active buyers. While the team has several needs, there may be no bigger need for an upgrade than in center field.

Tyrone Taylor has played the lion's share in center this season, and while he's been an elite defender with a Fielding Run Value of 7 (19th in MLB), his bat has been a liability. Taylor is slashing just .213/.267/.313, and his struggles have made center field a prime area for improvement.

One intriguing name on the market? Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran.

While the 28-year-old isn't seeing as much success as he did during his breakout 2024 All-Star campaign, he's still putting together a respectable year. Duran is currently hitting .258/.318/.431 with eight homers, 50 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. Acquiring him would send a clear message that the Mets are going all-in.

Heading into 2025, it looked liked Duran was an integral part of Boston's core, who had just gone all-in acquiring both Garrett Crochet and Alex Bregman in the offseason. But two major events have changed that outlook.

The first was the shocking trade of Rafael Devers to San Francisco on June 15, which sent shockwaves across the league and signaled a shift toward Boston's youth movement. The deal raised immediate questions about the Red Sox's direction and whether they would become sellers by the trade deadline. Duran's name is one of many floated in trade speculation, and his departure would further mark the beginning of a new era in Boston.

Yet Boston has been rolling as of late, winning ten straight before the All-Star Break, and currently sit in postseason position. In their torrid stretch, their outfield of Roman Anthony, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafaela have all been scorching hot, and have only accelerated trade rumors for Duran.