MLB Insiders Link Rex Sox All-Star Jarren Duran to Phillies
MLB Insiders Link Rex Sox All-Star Jarren Duran to Phillies originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Philadelphia Phillies' outfield problem is becoming less noticeable thanks to the resurgence of Brandon Marsh. However, left fielder Max Kepler still presents a sizable problem. The one-time MVP candidate is hitting just .211 with nine home runs. With Kepler slumping through his first (and most likely only) year in Philadelphia, two MLB insiders have speculated about replacing him with an All-Star from Boston.
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In a recent article from ESPN, Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan listed the Phillies as a potential 'best fit' for Boston Red Sox leftfielder Jarren Duran. They made their case writing this about Duran:
'Duran had a huge breakout season in 2024, posting the seventh-best WAR in the majors at 6.7. He overperformed his underlying metrics, though -- i.e., had some lucky outcomes -- and those metrics have regressed a bit this year. Now he's underperforming them -- he has been unlucky -- so his true talent is somewhere south of that star-level 6.7 figure but better than the roughly 2 WAR (commensurate with a solid regular) he's on pace for this season.'
Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park.Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Last season, Duran hit .285 with 21 home runs and 34 stolen bases, leading MLB in doubles and triples. Getting a player of that caliber would be an astounding grab for the Phillies. However, Duran has been on a slide, hitting .257/.309/.406 with five home runs on the year. His defense has also suffered, posting -5 outs above average, way down from the impressive 11 he posted last year.
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Any team that trades for him would be interested in acquiring 2024 Duran, not the current version. However, it may not come to that at all. The chances of the Red Sox selling low on Duran with years of control left and the DH spot open (having traded Rafael Devers) are not good. McDaniel and Passan estimate there is a 25 percent chance of a Jarren Duran trade. Still, if the Red Sox are willing to sell, Duran's bat would offer an upgrade over Kepler's even in its current state.
Related: Former Phillies Veteran Announces Retirement from MLB
Related: Phillies Predicted to Cut Ties With Bryson Stott in Favor of Young Fan Favorite
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
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