Padres' AJ Preller Called AL East Squad to Discuss Blockbuster Trade: Report

In the course of doing their due diligence, it's common for major league executives to check in with other teams around the league about players that might fit their roster. In that regard, A.J. Preller is no different than his peers.

The Padres' top baseball executive is, however, facing a bit more pressing, specific need than many of his counterparts. The Padres are 35-26, and just two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the National League West.

The success has come in spite of, not because of, the production from the Padres' left fielders. Collectively they have a .536 OPS, 29th in baseball, and an MLB-worst .197 batting average.

Amid multiple reports that the Padres are in the market for a left fielder from outside the organization, one name continues to stand out: Jarren Duran.

Sean McAdam of MassLive.com was the latest to link the Padres to the Boston Red Sox left fielder. "An industry source confirmed that, over the course of his periodic check-ins with other teams, Preller recently contacted the Red Sox to ask about Duran’s availability," McAdam wrote.

Dennis Lin of The Athletic was the first to link the Padres to Duran this week.

McAdam, for one, doesn't see the fit between the two teams. He suggested a Top-50 prospect, such as teenage shortstop Leo De Vries or catcher Ethan Salas, would be necessary to land Duran in a trade.

"The Red Sox are in the market for someone who can help get their (2025) season back on track," McAdam writes. And while Duran isn't untouchable, an industry source told McAdam that Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow "was by no means shopping the outfielder."

Still, Preller is nothing if not persistent when it comes to Duran. According to Lin, the Padres expressed interest in the 28-year-old outfielder before signing Jurickson Profar as a free agent in February 2024.

Duran is owed $3.85 million this season, and the Red Sox hold an $8 million club option for next season. The Padres' reported interest suggests they deem those figures affordable. Duran is three years away from free-agent eligibility.

In 63 games this season, Duran is batting .274 with four home runs, 35 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. Last year, Duran led the American League in doubles and triples while making his first All-Star team.

The Corona native was a seventh-round draft pick out of Long Beach State in 2018.

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