Bold reality check: the Red Sox have a loaded outfield, and not all great talents will land steady playing time in 2026. Here’s what’s at stake, told with clarity and a few fresh angles to help you follow the drama.
Boston’s outfield trio of potential stars—Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu—plus Jarren Duran comprise a group that could easily fill four starting spots, assuming no injuries. But with Masataka Yoshida and Triston Casas also in the mix for at-bats, the math doesn’t add up on the surface. The most likely outcome? one of these four may shift to DH duties at times, reshuffling how the lineup looks night after night.
Among them, Duran, at 29, is the oldest and arguably the most vulnerable defensively. If the team wants to maximize defense and upside, he could be the odd man out in the outfield—and that’s before considering how the front office evaluates his recent production.
Even so, Duran’s value isn’t in doubt. He finished 2025 with a defensive value of plus-11 DRS, and a track record that includes a 4.7 WAR with 16 homers and 84 RBIs last season. That kind of versatility means he can still contribute meaningfully as a DH, should the role be allocated to him.
When Duran spoke with reporters in Fort Myers, he said there have been no discussions about him becoming the team’s primary DH. He’s ready to do whatever the organization asks, joking that if he DH’d, he might be the fastest one in the league. “I haven’t heard anything like that, but wherever AC [Alex Cora] and the front office needs me, I’m going to give it my best,” he said.
Duran also credited Rob Refsnyder with teaching him how to stay productive off the bench. That guidance could translate well to a DH role, where staying engaged and studying sequencing and approach becomes crucial.
Despite trade rumors swirling this offseason, Duran says he’s not overly concerned. He lets his supporters—primarily his parents—monitor the chatter. “My parents look at it enough for me. They text me, ‘Did you get traded?’ I tell them, ‘You really think I’d hide it if it happened? I’d tell you.’ It’s in God’s hands, and whatever happens, happens.” He adds that he’ll keep his family in the loop if anything materializes and that they’ll calm down once they hear directly from him.
Duran’s 2024 MVP-style performance (finishing eighth in MVP voting with an 8.7 WAR) contrasted with a down 2025, where his batting average slipped from .285 to .256 and OPS from .834 to .774. He’s candid about the disappointment, noting he always aims higher and wants to repay the fans and teammates with steady, hard work as the new year begins.
For readers following Boston sports, Conor Ryan of Boston.com provides ongoing coverage of the Red Sox, alongside the Bruins, Celtics, and Patriots.
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