The Boston Red Sox may be ready to move on from one of their most controversial players.
Though the Red Sox are clear buyers at the trade deadline, they are willing to trade outfielder Jarren Duran, according to Julian McWilliams of CBS Sports. Duran still has a market, with the San Diego Padres listed as a potential fit.
The biggest problem for Duran is that he has been one of the most ineffective hitters in all of baseball this season. Entering play Saturday, he has hit just .198 with a .338 slugging percentage, and ranks as one of the worst hitters among statistical qualifiers.
Further complicating Duran’s situation is the fact that he has a long history of winding up at odds with fans and teammates. As recently as Thursday, Duran seemingly lost his cool at Red Sox third base coach Chad Epperson for not sending Willson Contreras home on a shallow flyout, despite the fact that Contreras would have undoubtedly been out.
Duran was a legitimate MVP candidate two years ago, and was a perfectly solid player last season as well, hitting .256 with 13 triples. There are certainly some teams who think he still has that in him, and that it could be unlocked with a change of scenery.
