I was a pro Duran trade guy all winter and nothing has changed that for me. He’s the outfield piece, really the whole lineup piece, that makes sense to trade.
Outfield is there only area of true depth. Durans game isn’t going to age well as his speed declines. He’s got slightly better than average instincts defensively and on the base paths but nothing that sets him apart besides his speed.
He’s currently desirable to other teams both because of what he did the last two years (though this year he’s still on shaky ground) and because he’s still got arb years. It won’t take much for people to lose interest in him.
They have no other players that are blocking talent that are desirable. No one wants Story, Yoshida (not blocking talent but an obvious trade candidate), Abreu nor Rafaella.
And let’s be real, Duran offensively is only a candle compared to those leadoff hitters you mentioned. His plate discipline isn’t inline, his OBP isn’t inline and neither is his average. The only thing he has a strong comparison to them is his speed.
Now I do agree that Breslow probably can’t handle getting the right return for him. Every move except acquiring Narvaez was blundered. Yes, including the Crochet deal. I simply dont believe they couldn’t have gotten that deal done without Teel. But shit, I feel like the Bastards and the majority of Red Sox Nation were circle jerking for Breslow all winter.
Ultimately hard decisions have to be made to unfuck this roster. Duran is definitely expendable and he’s desirable to other teams. Outside of Mayer and Anthony, the Sox don’t have anyone that’s immediately desirable other than Duran who has 1-2 seasons of impact remaining in his career.
I was a pro Duran trade guy all winter and nothing has changed that for me. He’s the outfield piece, really the whole lineup piece, that makes sense to trade.
Outfield is there only area of true depth. Durans game isn’t going to age well as his speed declines. He’s got slightly better than average instincts defensively and on the base paths but nothing that sets him apart besides his speed.
He’s currently desirable to other teams both because of what he did the last two years (though this year he’s still on shaky ground) and because he’s still got arb years. It won’t take much for people to lose interest in him.
They have no other players that are blocking talent that are desirable. No one wants Story, Yoshida (not blocking talent but an obvious trade candidate), Abreu nor Rafaella.
And let’s be real, Duran offensively is only a candle compared to those leadoff hitters you mentioned. His plate discipline isn’t inline, his OBP isn’t inline and neither is his average. The only thing he has a strong comparison to them is his speed.
Now I do agree that Breslow probably can’t handle getting the right return for him. Every move except acquiring Narvaez was blundered. Yes, including the Crochet deal. I simply dont believe they couldn’t have gotten that deal done without Teel. But shit, I feel like the Bastards and the majority of Red Sox Nation were circle jerking for Breslow all winter.
Ultimately hard decisions have to be made to unfuck this roster. Duran is definitely expendable and he’s desirable to other teams. Outside of Mayer and Anthony, the Sox don’t have anyone that’s immediately desirable other than Duran who has 1-2 seasons of impact remaining in his career.