Triston

Casas

Morosi doesn’t specify which one of Seattle’s arms the Red Sox are targeting. However, The Seattle Times’ Adam Jude notes that the two sides have engaged in trade talks this offseason before adding that a Luis Castillo for Triston Casas swap would make sense for both sides. It doesn’t sound like anything is imminent, but it’s a developing situation fantasy managers should monitor following the Winter Meetings.

There’s been rampant speculation throughout the offseason that Devers would shift across the diamond in the event that the Red Sox include first baseman Tristan Casas in a potential trade package or swing a trade for Cardinals defensive wizard Nolan Arenado. The 28-year-old franchise cornerstone has graded out as a subpar defender at the hot corner in three of the last four years, but has consistently told reporters that he has no interest in moving to another position. For the moment, it sounds like the Red Sox are holding off on considering moving Devers off third base, likely to first base or DH, until they make a significant move.

While Bowden is speculating on the exact trade package the Red Sox would offer for Crochet, it’s interesting to note his mention of Casas since there has been lots of reporting this offseason that the Red Sox are looking to move Rafael Devers off of third base. If the Red Sox were to sign a third baseman and move Devers to first base then they may view Casas as a palatable trade option if it nets them a potential difference-making starter like Crochet. Bowden suggested that “a package of Casas, Wilyer Abreu, and Connor Wong probably gets close to landing Crochet. The Red Sox could then replace Abreu with prospect Roman Anthony in right field, replace Wong with Kyle Teel at catcher.”

There are a lot of moving pieces here, so none of this should be treated as anything close to certain, but Devers’ defense at third base has become enough of a question in recent years that the idea of moving him to first base makes some sense. What that would mean for Triston Casas’ role on the Red Sox is another domino that would have to fall. While it’s still early in the offseason, the Red Sox are reportedly talking about the move with Devers and they have expressed interest in Arenado, Alex Bregman, and Willy Adames as potential third base options if Devers does move. Arenado would seem to be the lowest priority of the three since he’s the oldest, is coming off a poor season, and would require giving up assets in a trade, but this is an intriguing storyline to monitor this offseason.

Casas’ home run was his 13th of the year. He hit a solo shot off Shane Baz in the first inning. Casas needs to stay healthy, but it’s not difficult to imagine a promising 2025 campaign in the middle of a budding Red Sox lineup.

Casas had home runs on his first three at-bats of the game, including two three-run shots off starter Pablo Lopez. The 24-year-old now has 12 home runs and 29 RBI in just 54 games this season after battling back from a rib injury that sapped most of his season. With the Red Sox likely promoting a few of their young hitting prospects next season to give this lineup more depth, Casas could be in for a great 2025 if he can remain healthy.

The rib injury probably has something to do with it, but Casas has a 34% strikeout rate to go along with considerably weaker exit velocity numbers than last year. While he still seems like a good bet going forward, he should be forced to earn a starting job next spring; this season has been discouraging enough that there’s no reason to promise him anything.

The home run was his ninth in 52 games this season and just his first in September. Like much of the Red Sox lineup, Casas has been ice cold in September, coming into the day hitting .200 with 17 strikeouts in 12 games. The 24-year-old has plenty of talent, but it’s a bit concerning that the Red Sox lifted him for a pinch hitter when a left-handed reliever came in. If he’s going to be in a strict platoon, his at-bats will be cut in a way that dampens his fantasy value.

Casas started 17 games in a row, including four against lefties, after coming off the injured list last month, but he’s since been held out of the lineup versus southpaws five times in two weeks. Connor Wong is playing first base today.

With the Red Sox facing left-hander Cade Povich, it will be Connor Wong starting at first base with Danny Jansen catching. Tyler O’Neill will also slide to DH with Rob Refsnyder moving to right field. At some point, the Red Sox are going to need to trust Casas against lefties. Perhaps this is because he’s still not 100 percent after his rib injury, but the Red Sox are quickly falling out of the playoff race and should be fielding their best lineup each and every game. It’s hard to believe Casas doesn’t belong in that case.