Alex Cora has ‘a plan’ for playing time for potential trade chip Jarren Duran; Red Sox linked to Twins starter to improve rotation as rumors swirl

The MLB trade deadline is approaching, and the Red Sox are publicly saying they’ll be buyers. Fans are questioning which lane the Sox will actually pick in the coming weeks. If the Red Sox are looking to buy at the trade deadline, the “Interest Kings” have been connected to Twins starter Joe Ryan.

Boston and several other clubs are closely monitoring Ryan's availability if the Twins lose ground and fall out of playoff contention, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi. 

“They could be a buy-and-sell posture with a focus on adding a longer-term arm to the starting rotation,” Morosi said on MLB Central on Wednesday. “Ryan has been excellent so far this season... I think he’s one of the best starting pitchers in the American League, and he’s only getting better.”

Ryan would fill a hole in the Red Sox rotation and could slot nicely behind left-handed ace, Garrett Crochet. The Twins righty has been strong this season; in 18 appearances, he owns a 2.76 ERA, a 0.891 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts to just 21 walks.

The addition of Ryan would be costly for the Red Sox in terms of the player package returning back to the Twins. Ryan is under team control for two more seasons; he is arbitration-eligible the next two years and will become an unrestricted free agent following the 2028 season.

The Red Sox need to find additional help behind Crochet in the rotation if they want to make a serious deep postseason run. Lucas Giolito has been excellent and is coming off an impressive start against the Washington Nationals. The righty turned out a seven-inning gem, lowering his ERA under 4.

On Friday, he made consecutive starts, each lasting seven innings. He pitched for 7 2/3 innings, marking his longest outing in over four years, and he threw no more than 17 pitches in an inning. Over his last four starts in the month of June, the veteran allowed just two earned runs, posting a 0.72 ERA. Since June 4, Giolito owns a 0.83 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings and will enter Wednesday night's series finale against the Rockies with a 3.66 ERA.

Brayan Bello threw a complete game on Tuesday night and has been another bright spot in the rotation since the beginning of June. 

The 26-year-old gave up five hits, two over the first eight innings, and struck out a season-high 10 batters, earning his second career complete game, his first legitimate one where he went nine frames. Bello’s performance as a big leaguer has been up-and-down while in the majors. Since the beginning of June, he’s recorded a 2.78 ERA in seven outings (45 1/3 innings over that span), and he’s struck out 36 batters.

Both Giolito and Bello have been bright spots; meanwhile, Walker Buehler is trying to put consistent outings together and turn his season around. Boston has been interchanging different starters to round out the rotation between Richard Fitts, Hunter Dobbins, and others since Tanner Houck landed on the injured list.

It’s not clear what the Red Sox will need to give up in order to acquire a pitcher of Ryan’s caliber. Morosi speculated that the Twins could want outfielder Jarren Duran back from the Red Sox. If Boston moves on from Duran, it will open up a spot for Roman Anthony to play left field and Wilyer Abreu to remain in right field.

“Not to necessarily say that this would be the deal, Ryan, for Duran, but the Twins (are) a team that has needed guys that post consistently,” Morosi said. “Duran would fit very nicely for the long term in a lineup like what the Twins have. I’m not putting two and two together and getting 10, but these are just scenarios where the Red Sox, when you’ve already traded Rafael Devers, what’s one more consistent, everyday player who’s been an All-Star in the past in Jarren Duran?”

The 2024 All-Star MVP is part of a crowded Red Sox outfield that is also getting back outfielder and designated hitter Masataka Yoshida from the injured list.

Amid the trade rumors swirling this time of year, Duran is beginning to heat up at the plate, which will help his trade value and make the decision tougher on Craig Breslow to trade him.

Alex Cora has told Duran he has an idea of what he will do with the speedy outfielder.

“A.C. has a plan, and I trust him full tilt,” Duran said Tuesday. “Whatever he needs me to do, I’m gonna do. He let me have a little bit of Monday off, then I came in and pinch-hit, and it worked out. He’s a good manager; he’s been doing it, and I trust him with whatever we need to do for the team.”

Anthony has had 14 of his last 15 starts come in right field but began to take fly balls in left field before the Red Sox win on Tuesday night, playing balls off the Green Monster.

If the Red Sox traded Duran to the Twins in a package for Ryan, Boston would instantly add a legitimate No. 2 starter behind Crochet while freeing up consistent playing time for their current outfielders. Duran has had a down season compared to his breakout 2024 campaign. This season the speedy outfielder is hitting .259 with seven homers, 23 doubles, and 10 triples and posted a .742 OPS. Duran had a miserable month of June offensively, hitting .210 with a .701 OPS has been electric in July, hitting .346 with a homer, triple, and three doubles.

“He’s been swinging the bat well,” said Cora. “I think too much has been made about his slump or whatever. He’s hitting the ball hard, getting on base. He did a good job in Washington. Today (Tuesday), he put in two good swings late in the game. He’s feeling good about himself.”

Cora plans to rotate his outfielders and maximize Duran's performance until a potential trade occurs.

“They’re not listening to anything from anybody,” Cora said. “They’re just playing. We’re gonna keep playing. We have to make decisions on a daily basis, and it’s gonna give us a chance to give guys a breather and keep them off their feet for one day or two. That’s the way we’re going to operate.”