Overview

• Chief baseball executive Craig Breslow has identified acquiring a high-end starter to slot behind Garrett Crochet as a top offseason priority.
• Heavy highlighted a speculative Reds scenario in which any Duran deal would likely be built around left-hander Nick Lodolo, who logged a 3.38 ERA over 28 starts in 2025.
• A Locked On podcast proposal suggested sending Duran to the Athletics for veteran Luis Severino with prospects Braden Nett and JJ Bleday included.
• Duran’s 2025 production declined from his 2024 breakout, with his OPS dropping from .834 to .774 and a career-high seven outfield errors reported.
• Newsweek reported critics’ view that Boston reduced its leverage by passing on earlier windows to trade Duran, even as he remains under team control with an $8 million club option for next year.