The Boston Red Sox finally ended their postseason drought this year — not only returning to the playoffs but also securing their first postseason win since 2021, and just their second since capturing the 2018 World Series title. Unfortunately, their run was short-lived, as they fell to the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card Series, dropping the final two games of the best-of-three set.
With hopes of building on their modest but promising 2024 success, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has made it clear that one of Boston’s top offseason priorities is to acquire a high-end starting pitcher to slot in behind emerging ace and 2025 Cy Young contender Garrett Crochet.
The Red Sox also have a surplus of outfield talent they could leverage in trade talks. Between rookie standout Roman Anthony, 2024 Gold Glove winner Wilyer Abreu, defensive wizard Ceddanne Rafaela, Masataka Yoshida, and fan favorite Jarren Duran, Breslow has multiple options to explore.
Of that group, Duran stands out as the most likely trade candidate. One potential return being discussed is Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo, who could headline a deal centered around Duran and additional prospects.
Duran Remains Under Team Control
After a breakout 2024 campaign in which he earned All-Star Game MVP honors, Jarren Duran took a noticeable step back this season. His OPS dropped from .834 to .774, and his defensive struggles surfaced with a career-high seven outfield errors. On the basepaths, his stolen base total dipped sharply from 34 (in 41 attempts) to 24 (in 30).
Though he was a late bloomer, Duran remains under team control for three more years and will turn 30 during the 2026 season. He’s set to earn $8 million next year under a club option — a significant increase from his $3.75 million salary in 2025. Trade speculation surrounded the five-year veteran for much of the season, particularly as the deadline approached.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds appear well-positioned to deal from their rotation depth. Strong starting pitching carried them to their first full-season playoff appearance since 2013 (they also made the postseason during the shortened 2020 campaign). While their offense was middle-of-the-pack, ranking 14th with 4.42 runs per game, their starting pitchers combined for a 3.85 ERA — ninth best in baseball. By comparison, Boston’s rotation finished close behind, ranking 12th with a 3.92 ERA.
Lodolo Back at Full Health
“If the Reds were to genuinely explore a trade for Duran, the deal would almost certainly have to center around Nick Lodolo,” wrote analyst Drew Koch of Blog Red Machine. “While Lodolo has struggled with injuries in previous seasons, he’s shown impressive durability throughout 2025.”
Now 27, Lodolo made 28 starts and one relief appearance for Cincinnati this year, finishing with a 3.38 ERA and a 4.9 WAR — nearly identical to Duran’s 4.6 mark. After a stress fracture in his leg cut short his sophomore season, just a year removed from finishing sixth in the 2022 National League Rookie of the Year race, Lodolo has reestablished himself as a reliable and high-upside arm.
A trade for Lodolo would give Boston a pitcher who fits into what FanGraphs has described as “a small but fascinating subclass of ballplayer: the two-time first-round pitcher.” The Pittsburgh Pirates originally drafted Lodolo in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft — the final pick of the compensation round — out of Damien High School in La Verne, California. However, he opted to attend Texas Christian University instead. Three years later, the Cincinnati Reds selected him seventh overall in the 2019 draft.
