One of the main areas of need for the San Diego Padres is in left field. With plenty of options on the market, the Padres could go in a lot of different directions to add at that position.
But for USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Padres should target one specific outfielder. "Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran still makes the most sense for the Padres," wrote Nightengale.
Duran is a hot commodity at the trade deadline. Even though the Red Sox and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow are adamant they are buyers, a potential Duran trade isn't off the table.
Nightengale is still linking Duran to the Padres, even if he isn't the most likely trade target. San Diego is looking for a left fielder, and ideally one who is a right-handed hitter. Duran is a lefty, but his production is more than worth ignoring platoon concerns
This season, Duran is batting .255, with a .220 batting average against left-handed pitching. While he wouldn't help the team solve that issue, he'd be a significant improvement over the current crop of left fielders in San Diego.
Gavin Sheets could slide back to designated hitter or first base, and Duran would take over in left. It'd also get Bryce Johnson, Tyler Wade, Trenton Brooks, and Jose Iglesias out of the everyday starting lineup.
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What makes a Duran deal so appealing for the Padres is the potential based on his 2024 season, and how Duran is under team control through 2028. He's still in arbitration, meaning his contracts won't be a ridiculous sum.
Also, his 2024 season was incredible and worth trying to buy into despite his lower numbers in 2025. He had 8.7 WAR in 2024, with an MLB-leading 48 doubles and 14 triples. He was an All-Star and won the All-Star Game MVP.
His OPS in 2024 was .834, while his OPS this season is at .728. It's a significant step back, but he's still an above-average outfielder, and would be among the best possible additions for the Padres ot make at the deadline.
Nightengale still believes that Duran is the Padres' best option at the MLB trade deadline. He would take over in left, and help round out one of baseball's best outfield trios with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill.
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