SNY's Joe DeMayo recently pitched a mock trade that would send Boston Red Sox All-Star outfielder Jarren Duran to the New York Mets in exchange for prospects Brandon Sproat, Ryan Clifford, and Blade Tidwell.
"This one may be unlikely given the Red Sox rallied off 10 consecutive wins heading into the break and look more like a playoff team now than they did a few weeks ago. That could lead to them hanging onto Duran at least until the offseason. But with an excess of talent in the outfield, they could look to move him for controllable, near big-league-ready pitching. Clifford could potentially be Boston's long-term solution at first base.
"The Mets would have probably the best outfield in baseball with Brandon Nimmo in left, Duran in center, and Juan Soto in right. Duran is having a somewhat down year by his standards, with a .749 OPS. But he does have 25 doubles, 10 triples, eight home runs and 16 stolen bases at the All-Star break. Duran is also under team control through the 2028 season."
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 12: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox looks on in the dugout before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 12, 2025 at Fenway Park in Boston,...
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 12: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox looks on in the dugout before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 12, 2025 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images
There's a lot to unpack here.
While the Red Sox are hot right now, this is the exact level of trade package that could turn a buying team temporarily into a seller.
Losing Duran would hurt the Red Sox, but they have more talented young outfielders within the organization. But by landing Sproat, a future ace, and Tidwell to the organization, the Red Sox's pitching staff gets a lot better down the road. Clifford could also project as a star in Boston's lineup.
For the Mets, adding Duran is the kind of move they need to make. Losing this trio of prospects would hurt their farm system, but adding Duran would be worth it.
While trades like this are rare between two contending teams, this one seems to have the framework to fit both sides. Neither team takes a huge step back. The Mets get better for right now and the next few years. The Red Sox take a step back this season, but a massive leap forward for the future.
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