What exactly is the state of play vis a vis a potential Jarren Duran trade with the Royals? Here’s one MLB insider who seems to be implying three somewhat contradictory things: (1) Kansas City is actively
targeting Duran, (2) the Red Sox are asking for Cole Ragens in return, and (3) the trade talks themselves are only “informal and exploratory” at this point. (Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic)
Of course, it’s always possible that the default assumption that the Red Sox need to trade an outfielder is incorrect. Craig Breslow is reportedly telling potential trade partners that the Sox are more than happy to go into 2026 with each of Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu all on the roster, where they would split time in the outfield and rotate through the DH spot. (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
That would be a perfectly fine plan… if Masataka Yoshida didn’t also have a roster spot. But not only is Yoshida still with the Sox and presumably penciled into the DH role, but Alex Cora is also calling him “a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish.” (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
Cole Ragans would be a pretty big fish to land. In the meantime, though, Craig Breslow and company are still on the hunt for some potentially usefull guppies. The Sox are reportedly looking into free agent reliever Danny Coulombe, who had an excellent first half of the season with the Twins last year, followed by a disastrous post-trade deadline stint with the Rangers. (Kayley Brown, Boston.com)
Speaking of the Rangers, they currently employ another big fish who has been linked to the Sox: Corey Seager. But Rangers boss Chris Young has dismissed the idea that they are shopping him around:
