The Boston Red Sox could be facing a real reckoning this offseason.
Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran is projected to earn around $11.1 million in arbitration next season, but the Red Sox seem unlikely to want to give him that figure (per a report this week by Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic). As a result, Duran could either agree to a lesser deal or ask to be non-tendered, allowing him to hit free agency.
Duran did notably already play out the 2026 season for the Red Sox on a lesser salary. He agreed to a one-year, $7.7 million deal with the team last winter, overriding his original $8 million club option.
The lefty-hitting Duran, 30, has been with Boston for his entire MLB career (since 2021) and was an All-Star in 2024. But he had a forgettable year in 2026, batting a career-worst .207 over 151 games (though Duran still managed to produce 20 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases).
Duran also caused some problems in Boston over the course of the year. He crashed out on a teammate during a game in July and managed to get into even more altercations with fans as well.
We learned several months ago that the Red Sox were potentially willing to part ways with Duran. With 22-year-old phenom Roman Anthony waiting in the wings at left field, that might just become a reality come this winter.
