Boston Red Sox slugger Jarren Duran is coming off a fantastic season. He started all but two regular-season games, hitting .285/.342/.492 with a career-high 48 doubles, 14 triples, 21 home runs and 75 runs batted in.
So, heading into arbitration, he wants to get paid. Per Mark Feinsand, the slugger filed at $4 million while Boston countered and filed at $3.5 million, leaving a $500 thousand difference.
This has upset many within the Boston fanbase. They do not see how the front office can haggle somebody who played an important role in 2024 over $500,000 when the team brings in millions.
Duran was one of the few bright spots for Boston last season. He helped a team that was not expected to do anything at all sustain a .500 record.
"This is a joke. Give the man the $500k he earned!" one fan posted.
"Absolute clown show. Didn't they do that same thing to Betts before?!" said another.
"Dollar store Sox doing what they do best, putting both left feet forward" said another.
It is hard for fans to grasp the pull between MLB teams and players during arbitration season. However, these teams have other contracts and financial commitments to think about outside of just one player's contract.
"Pay HIM" said another.
"This cannot be right..." said another.
"Boston Devil Rays... going to arbitration over half a million? What are we doing?" said another.
Could the Red Sox look at trading Jarren Duran?
The Red Sox and Jarren Duran could come to an agreement on a new deal before their case heads to arbitration. However, Boston also has another option they could turn to.
The front office could also consider trading Duran. He is coming off the best season of his career, and there would be multiple teams who would likely be interested. Alex Mayes of the Talk Sox blog believes a package of Duran and the club's No. 2 prospect Marcello Mayer could excite teams.
Duran's name has yet to be mentioned in trade talks this offseason, but first baseman Triston Casas' name has. They have been looking for a buyer all offseason.
It will be interesting to see what comes of this Duran situation. Will the slugger win his case, will Boston be saving a little extra money, or is the slugger on his way out?