Red Sox Brass Smash ‘Necessary Evil’ From Boston Offseason
BOSTON — The Red Sox avoided arbitration with several players but have yet to agree to a deal with Jarren Duran.
The 2024 All-Star Game MVP entered the new year waiting to determine his season salary as the offseason process continues with hopes of avoiding arbitration. Boston ideally would strike a deal before a hearing to avoid any bad blood with the star player.
Manager Alex Cora and team president Sam Kennedy maintained a commitment to Duran while criticizing the negative salary process.
“I have my feelings about arbitration,” Cora told reporters during “Fenway Fest” Saturday. “I think it’s kind of a bad process to be honest with you and it doesn’t make sense.”
“It’s such a difficult process,” Kennedy told reporters during “Fenway Fest” Saturday. “I don’t like arbitration. That’s why I’m not involved in it. It’s a better question for (Craig Breslow). It’s a necessary evil I guess is how our industry works. Making an argument for value for a player under your control who’s so important is difficult to have those conversations. I’m confident we will get to a conclusion one way or the other.”
Duran entered his first of four arbitration years with the Red Sox before he could hit free agency after the 2028 season. Boston would be wise to settle the deal before a hearing to maintain player relationships and reward Duran for a fantastic season, though the industry often works the opposite way in these cases.