* Over the weekend, the Chicago Cubs finally made up with Sammy Sosa and welcomed him back to their annual fan festival. There, Sosa was greeted as a hero, the prodigal slugger returning home to the franchise with which he was most closely associated. It’s time for the Red Sox to do the same with two of their former stars.

The Boston Red Sox announced a one-year deal with outfielder Jarren Duran on Friday, avoiding arbitration. Durran, 28, will earn $3.75 million in 2025 and has an $8 million club option for 2026 with a $100,

All-Star outfielder Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox avoided arbitration when they agreed Friday to a one-year contract guaranteeing $3.85 million, a deal that includes an $8 million team option for 2026.