Why the Red Sox starting Masataka Yoshida against the Yankees was actually bad news for Jarren Duran originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Yesterday, the Boston Red Sox suffered a huge loss once again, losing their season opener against the New York Yankees in a shutout, 4-0. However, Boston did subtly let fans know their feelings on their outfield logjam through how they handled the game against their eternal rivals.
Instead of their usual starters, the Sox chose to let Masataka Yoshida start at DH, and benched Jarren Duran. While Yoshida went 0/4, Duran did no better when he came in to pinch hit; he struck out to end the game. The big thing is though Yoshida being put above Duran speaks volumes, especially now.
At the moment, Yoshida is having the best season of his career, slashing .324/.477/.412/.889 with three doubles, and five RBI. This is much better than his career averages of .283/.342/.425/.766. If he’s finally breaking out, getting more time as a starter is crucial.
Duran, on the other hand, is slumping hard. He’s hitting a pitiful .164/.243/.254/.497 with three doubles, one home run, and an RBI in 17 games played. Last season he was good, but he clearly regressed a little.
His last great season was when he earned his only All-Star nod in 2024, where he slashed .285/.342/.492/.834 with a MLB-leading 48 doubles and 14 triples, 21 homers, 75 RBI, and 34 stolen bases.
Yoshida and Duran were the center of a lot of trade talks this offseason, as they were considered the most expendable outfielders due to their age. Having five star outfielders is too hard to carry, and one of them must go.
Now, with Yoshida hot, Duran cold, and even more on-the-field drama with him, it seems like if a choice is to be made, Duran will be calling another city home by August.
If the Sox were to deal Duran, it would finally clear things up for them. Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu would start in left field, center field, and right field respectively, and Yoshida would DH.
There’s bound to be some team out there willing to pay for Duran, and if the Sox can capitalize on it, they need to. With a record of 9-14 and dead last in the AL East, they need to shake things up immediately.
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