“Similarly, the Red Sox have signaled interest in Dylan Cease, who would be a rental," McAdam wrote. "The Padres, in their never-ending quest to acquire Duran, proposed a package involving Cease, catching prospect Ethan Salas and another prospect (not shortstop Leo de Vries) for Duran, which was quickly rejected."

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According to sources, the Red Sox remained engaged on top starters up to the end. San Diego hotly pursued Duran, but the Red Sox didn’t see enough return to move him. Boston tried to trade for Eugenio Suarez with the intent of moving him to first base before Arizona sent him to Seattle.