October 12, 2025
Boston Eyes Frontline Starter After Early Playoff Exit
The Boston Red Sox finally snapped their postseason drought this year, winning a playoff game for the first time since 2021 — and only their second since their 2018 World Series championship. But their October run was short-lived, ending in a Wild Card series loss to the New York Yankees.
Now, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has made it clear: bolstering the starting rotation is priority number one this offseason.
“We need a No. 2 behind [Garrett] Crochet who can give us innings and consistency,” Breslow said following the elimination.
Duran Could Be Boston’s Key Trade Chip
Boston’s outfield depth gives them leverage in trade talks. With Roman Anthony, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, Masataka Yoshida, and fan favorite Jarren Duran all vying for playing time, the Red Sox have the flexibility to move one piece to acquire a frontline pitcher.
Among them, Duran appears the most likely to be dealt.
After a breakout 2024 campaign that earned him All-Star Game MVP honors, Duran’s 2025 production dipped slightly. His OPS fell from .834 to .774, and his stolen bases dropped from 34 to 24, though he still delivered solid value with a 4.6 WAR.
At 29, Duran remains under team control for three more years and is set to earn $8 million next season via a club option — a manageable salary for a player entering his prime.
Trade speculation surrounded him throughout the year, and now, one potential destination is emerging: the Cincinnati Reds.
Why Nick Lodolo Fits the Bill
Cincinnati has one of the deepest young pitching staffs in baseball, led by Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, and Nick Lodolo. The Reds’ 3.85 rotation ERA ranked ninth in MLB, helping them secure their first full-season playoff berth since 2013.
According to Blog Red Machine analyst Drew Koch, any trade involving Duran would “likely have to be built around Lodolo.”
The 27-year-old left-hander finally stayed healthy in 2025, making 28 starts (plus one relief appearance) and posting a 3.38 ERA with a 4.9 WAR. Lodolo’s durability and strikeout ability made him one of the Reds’ most reliable arms, a major comeback after leg injuries derailed his 2023–24 campaigns.
“If Boston wants an immediate-impact No. 2 starter, Lodolo fits perfectly,” Koch wrote. “He’s still young, under control, and pitching like an ace when healthy.”
A Tale of Two Late Bloomers
Duran and Lodolo share similar career arcs. Both are late bloomers who overcame early setbacks to become key contributors.
For Duran, it was a breakout at 27 that turned him into a fan favorite in Boston. For Lodolo, it was a return to full strength after multiple injury-plagued seasons that reminded scouts why he was once a top-10 draft pick.
Originally selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016 out of Damien High School (La Verne, California), Lodolo opted to attend Texas Christian University before the Cincinnati Reds made him the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Now, his name is surfacing again — this time, as a possible centerpiece in one of the offseason’s first major trade discussions.
The Bottom Line
The Red Sox need stability behind Garrett Crochet. The Reds could use an athletic, high-energy outfielder to boost their lineup.
If both sides are willing, a Jarren Duran–Nick Lodolo trade could give Boston its long-sought rotation upgrade — and give Cincinnati a spark at the top of the order.
As the offseason approaches, this could be the first big move that sets the tone for a busy winter on Yawkey Way.
