It’s no secret the Royals need offensive help after finishing 26th in the majors with 651 runs scored, and the outfield is far and away the most obvious area for a potential impact addition.

Even falling short of his breakout 2024 numbers, Jarren Duran still hit .256/.332/.442 with 41 doubles, 13 triples, 16 home runs, 84 RBI, 86 runs scored and 24 steals in a 4.7-WAR campaign.

With club control through 2028, he could plug a hole in the lineup and at the top of the batting order for multiple seasons, serving as a table-setter for Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino.

To BOS: LHP Kris Bubic, C Carter Jensen

With an abundance of outfield talent, there is a high likelihood one of Duran or Wilyer Abreu is traded this offseason, and flipping them for pitching talent is the logical move.

With the Red Sox in win-now mode, they could prioritize MLB talent over prospects, and 2025 All-Star Kris Bubic would be a welcome addition to a staff that has already added Sonny Gray. A rotator cuff strain cut his breakout season short, but he is expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Since Bubic is only controllable for one more year, it will take more than just a one-for-one swap, and catcher Carter Jensen could bridge the gap as a MLB-ready bat who had a .941 OPS with three home runs and 13 RBI in 69 plate appearances as a September call-up.

The Red Sox are known to be in the market for catching talent, and they have been linked to free agent J.T. Realmuto, so he fills a need.