The New York Mets need a new center fielder at the trade deadline, but it's no guarantee any impact players at the position will be available.
Tyrone Taylor is a useful player to have on the roster, but the Mets can no longer afford to have his 68 OPS+ bat in the lineup every night. Yet Taylor also has more bWAR than Cedric Mullins and Luis Robert Jr., the two center fielders who are probably the easiest to trade for.
There's one other potential option, however: Boston Red Sox star Jarren Duran. After his All-Star campaign in 2024, it would have seemed preposterous that Duran could be traded, but in an overcrowded outfield in Boston, he's the oldest and the closest to free agency.
So could the Mets trade for 3 1/2 years of Duran? Should they?
Andres Chavez of Empire Sports Media believes the experiment is worth a go if the Mets can get the Red Sox to accept one of their top pitching prospects in a deal.
"Adding Duran would transform the Mets’ outfield defense and lineup depth overnight, plugging a glaring and costly roster hole," Chavez wrote.
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"He wouldn’t be a rental — Duran could be the Mets’ leadoff man and center fielder through their entire next contention window. It’s a rare situation: a young, controllable, dynamic player might actually be available — if the Mets can offer the right package."
The 28-year-old Duran has taken a step back this season, but still owns a .748 OPS, eight home runs, 10 triples, and 16 stolen bases. He's a spark plug at the top of the lineup, and though he's been a subpar defender in left field this year, his stats typically fare better in center.
It's far from a guarantee that the Red Sox will trade their leadoff hitter and one of their longest-tenured players, but the logic is there. The only issue is that Boston might be too locked into the playoff race to accept a deal that doesn't immediately help their major league roster.
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