The Red Sox on Tuesday avoided salary arbitration with Jarren Duran by signing the 29-year-old outfielder to a one-year contract worth $7.7 million.
The deal includes up to $75,000 in bonuses based on plate appearances.
The Sox held an $8 million option on Duran for 2026, but they elected to negotiate a new contract.
Duran regressed from his All-Star season of 2024, hitting .256 with a .774 OPS over 157 games. After compiling 8.7 bWAR in 2024, it fell to a still impressive 4.7.
Duran led the American League with 13 triples, had a career-best 84 RBIs, and was third in the league with 41 doubles.
Righthanded reliever Brennan Bernardino, first baseman Triston Casas, righthander Kutter Crawford, utility player Romy Gonzalez, righthander Tanner Houck, righthander Josh Winckowski, and catcher Connor Wong remain eligible for arbitration.
None have projected salaries over $4 million.
First baseman Nathaniel Lowe also is eligible and is projected for $13.5 million. It is likely the Sox will non-tender him.
Lowe, 30, signed as a free agent in August after being released by the Nationals. He had a .790 OPS over 34 games, but with Casas expected back from injury, he is expendable.
Ben Volin talks with Red Sox great Fred Lynn about the 2025 World Series and his thoughts on Roman Anthony wearing the same jersey number as Lynn.
Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at peteabeglobe.bsky.social.
