When it comes to the 2025-26 offseason, it feels like the Kansas City Royals are looking to make a splash for an outfielder. They have some pitchers that contending teams are interested in. The Royals have already signed Lane Thomas to a $5.25 million deal last week and acquired Isaac Collins in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.
That hasn’t stopped Kansas City from making a big splash. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Royals are interested in acquiring All-Star outfielder Jarren Duran from the Boston Red Sox. It’s going to be easier said than done.
Royals Reportedly Interested in Red Sox Outfielder Jarren Duran
According to Rosenthal, Kansas City is under the impression that it would take left-hander Cole Ragans to get a deal done. Is that something they would consider doing?
“Even after signing free agent Lane Thomas and trading for Isaac Collins, the Kansas City Royals are open to adding another outfielder – most notably Jarren Duran, if the Boston Red Sox lower their asking price,” Rosenthal wrote.
“The Royals are under the impression Duran would cost them left-hander Cole Ragans, though the Red Sox view the initial talks as more informal and exploratory, according to people briefed on the conversations,” Rosenthal added.
Kansas City has Jac Caglianone and Kyle Isbel already key pieces in the outfield. Adding Duran would solidify the outfield as he could play either left field or center. He would also supply the Royals with a top-of-the-order bat with speed.
Why Would the Red Sox Consider Trading Jarren Duran?
The Red Sox have four outfielders for three spots. Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony , and Ceddanne Rafaela. Abreu and Rafaela both won Gold Gloves this season, and it was Abreu’s second straight. Rafaela has been playing some second base for Boston manager Alex Cora, but moving Duran opens up center full-time for the Red Sox’s rising young star.
Duran signed a one-year $7.75 million contract back in November with Boston, avoiding salary arbitration. That is a deal that would be a good one for the Royals, given what Duran brings to the table. It also gives Kansas City a strong outfield.
“If the Royals acquired Duran, he would play left with Jac Caglianone getting most of the at-bats in right. Thomas could play center against left-handers, Kyle Isbel against righties. Collins spell Caglianone against tough lefties, and second baseman Jonathan India against tough righties,” Rosenthal wrote.
This past season, Duran slashed .256/.332/.442. He had 16 home runs, 41 doubles, and 13 triples. He stole 24 bases in 30 attempts, and he drove in a career-high 84 runs. In 2024, Duran slashed .285/.342/.492 with 48 doubles, 14 triples, and a career-high 21 home runs. He drove in 75 and swiped 34 bases.
Boston has an abundance of outfielders, and they need starting pitching. Ragens is the type of pitcher that Breslow would covet. The Roylas see him as a Game 1 postseason starter, according to Rosenthal.
“Both Ragans, 28, and Duran, 29, are under club control for three more seasons, with Ragans under contract for a combined $12 million in 2026-27 and Duran for $7.75 million in ’26. The Royals, though, see Ragans as a player with greater value, a potential Game 1 starter in a postseason series,” wrote Rosenthal.
Rosenthal added that the talks are hypothetical, and it may end up playing out that way. A deal between the two teams that involves Duran and Ragans helps to address the needs of both teams. Time will tell what happens.
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