If you didn’t like yesterday’s trade idea, Dylan Crews, here’s another outfielder who could be on the trading block and who could very well fit the Cubs’ need for an outfielder.
There are caveats here, so let’s look at them.
Jarren Duran had an outstanding 2024 season, posting 9.0 bWAR and leading MLB with 48 doubles and 14 triples. He batted .285/.342/.492, hit 21 home runs and stole 34 bases and finished eighth in AL MVP voting. The following year was good, but not at that level: .256/.332/.442,
an AL-leading 13 triples, 16 home runs, 24 stolen bases and 4.9 bWAR.
Last year, Duran crashed to what wasn’t much more than replacement level: .207/.266/.361, a big decline in doubles and triples, though with 20 home runs and 21 stolen bases. His defense, which had previously been good, also suffered and he posted just 0.4 bWAR. Here’s an article that gives some good analysis of why this happened. Some of the decline came with a big drop in his BABIP, from .326 to .252.
Duran is 30 and made $7.7 million in 2026. He’s under team control for two more seasons. I’d think he could make a competent right fielder for a couple of years, perhaps until Josiah Hartshorn is ready. It should be noted that Duran didn’t play right field at all in 2026, though he has played the position in the past and at one time was a very good center fielder. If not right field, Duran could certainly play a competent left field.
There’s one other thing to consider regarding Duran, and that’s some controversies he’s been involved in. Before trading for a guy like this, you’d have to make sure those are in his past.
So why am I proposing this? Because I think there’s a match here of two disappointing players.
The Red Sox didn’t really have a regular second baseman in 2026. Matt Shaw’s best position is second base, and he’s obviously blocked there with the Cubs by Nico Hoerner. He can’t play third for the Cubs either, and his time in right field in 2026 was shaky. He doesn’t really have the arm for right field and would probably be better served as an infielder. Shaw is also a Massachusetts native.
So would the teams do this? A change-of-scenery deal, one-for-one, Shaw for Duran?
Who says no?
