A week after the Red Sox and Jarren Duran appeared headed for arbitration due to a contract dispute, the two sides reached an agreement on Friday to avoid the process.
Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy described arbitration as a “necessary evil,” but it proved unnecessary this time, as Duran and the team settled on a deal that keeps him in Boston on a fair contract for 2025.
According to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, Duran will earn a base salary of $3.75 million in 2025—a compromise between the Red Sox’s offer of $3.5 million and Duran’s request for $4 million. Additionally, the deal includes performance-based incentives that could bring Duran’s total earnings to $4 million, provided he stays healthy.
The most intriguing aspect of the agreement is its impact on 2026. The contract includes a team option for that year, guaranteeing Duran $8 million in base salary, with an opportunity to earn up to $4 million more through performance incentives.
Duran’s 2025 incentives are straightforward: he will earn $50,000 for reaching each of three plate appearance thresholds—400, 450, and 500. This should be manageable, given Duran’s 2024 performance, where he logged 753 plate appearances while playing all 160 games. However, Boston manager Alex Cora is likely to give Duran periodic rest in 2025, though 500 plate appearances remains a realistic target if he stays healthy.
The 2026 incentives, on the other hand, are tied to MVP voting. Duran can earn an additional $1 million for finishing in the top 20 of the American League MVP race, with further bonuses for finishing in the top 10, top 5, and ultimately $12 million total if he wins the award.
Duran’s 2024 season marked a breakout, highlighted by an All-Star appearance and an All-Star MVP award, thanks to his game-winning home run. He also finished eighth in MVP voting, meaning he would have earned two of the 2026 MVP incentives under the new deal. At 28 years old, Duran has established himself as a dependable player both defensively and as a leadoff hitter, positioning him for continued financial success.
With arbitration off the table, both Duran and the Red Sox can now shift their focus to spring training and the 2025 season, as Boston aims to return to playoff contention in the AL East.
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