As the San Diego Padres scramble to address their glaring weakness in left field, the Boston Red Sox may hold the solution—while simultaneously clearing a path for baseball’s top prospect, Roman Anthony, to debut.
San Diego’s left fielders have posted a dismal -0.7 bWAR this season, the worst in MLB, per MLB Trade Rumors. With the Padres locked in a tight NL West race—trailing the Dodgers by two games and the Giants by one—upgrading the position has become urgent. Enter the Red Sox, who could offer 2024 All-Star MVP Jarren Duran, a $3.75 million bargain under team control through 2028.
For Boston, moving Duran would open left field for Anthony, their 21-year-old Triple-A sensation. Anthony leads the International League with a .321 average and .971 OPS, signaling he’s MLB-ready. Despite Duran’s solid production (.762 OPS, AL-leading six triples), his power and defensive metrics have dipped from his All-Star campaign. At 28, his ceiling pales next to Anthony’s, whom MLB Pipeline ranks as the sport’s No. 1 prospect.
A potential deal could center on Padres utilityman Gavin Sheets, who offers Boston depth at first base following Triston Casas’ season-ending injury. San Diego may also include Triple-A reliever Francis Peña (22 strikeouts in 18.1 innings) to bolster Boston’s taxed bullpen.
While Duran’s decline raises questions, he’d still outclass San Diego’s current options. For the Red Sox, prioritizing Anthony’s future over Duran’s present could reshape their roster as they balance contention and youth. With the trade deadline looming, both teams face high-stakes decisions in a bid to solidify their postseason paths.