The Boston Red Sox have had a rough go this far into June. The spiraling has now ignited some selling rumors among the MLB landscape. The marquee name in early rumors is outfielder, Jarren Duran. Now 28 years old, Duran had a massive breakout season in 2024 with an eighth-place AL MVP-finish to go along with his first All-Star selection.
Duran is a massive force behind the Red Sox offense which makes a deal for him that much more appealing. His stock was at an all-time high coming into the season, and has only increased in 2025. The San Diego Padres have already started circling Boston (subscription required), per Dennis Lin of The Athletic.
The 2025 version of the Philadelphia Phillies could also really use a player of his caliber. But based on a proposed trade for the outfielder, it seems like it would cost an absurd amount to get him here.
According to Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report, the Phillies would be able to present the fourth-best trade package for Duran. The hypothetical deal would include the Phillies' No. 1 prospect, right-hander Andrew Painter and No. 4 prospect, catcher Eduardo Tait to get Duran. The deal may seem digestible at first, but heavily favors the Red Sox in their return for the one-time All-Star.
There's no way the Phillies would make a trade for Jarren Duran that involves Andrew Painter
Yes, Duran is exciting, but there's no extended track record that you can read from and expect him to continue to perform at the level he had last year with 48 doubles, 14 triples, 21 home runs and 34 stolen bases. Last year was exceptional, but Duran will already turn 29 this fall. To give up both the next top catcher post-Realmuto and the No. 2 overall pitching prospect in baseball would be insane. The Phillies are trying everything they can internally to help the offense before making any massive shakeup, per MLB.com's Paul Casella.
Painter has had a long recovery returning from Tommy John surgery back in the summer of 2023, but has the makings of a perennial ace. Tait has shown real signs of being the next great franchise backstop. Duran could be the spark the Phillies could be missing, but the risk is too great, and the youth of the Phillies' farm system would be gutted if Duran fails to meet expectations.
Many talks have stewing among the fans about the potential of losing Painter in a trade deal to get proven major league talent in a win-now scenario. Understandably, the Phillies haven't felt comfortable yet finding a deal to pull the trigger on and let the likely untouchable Painter go. This is another one of those cases. A deal involving Painter and Tait means the return for him has to be a guarantee of success to be worth it. Duran is great, but is not worth the loss of two of the Phillies' top five prospects.