New Red Sox first baseman Garrett Cooper ‘just trying to come in here and just help’ in the absence of Triston Casas
During the offseason, the Red Sox pursued first baseman Garrett Cooper. He opted to take a minor league deal with the Cubs instead of signing with Boston.
After playing in 12 games where he went 10-for-37 (.270 AVG) with one homer, one double, one triple, three runs, and six RBI, Cooper was designated for assignment.
“I feel like I started the year off well,” Cooper said. “I hit well in the spring. I got a new hitting coach this offseason. And just being accountable every game, sending him video after every game just to make sure the things we worked on in the offseason stayed posture-wise, hands. ... In the early going, I felt like I was swinging the bat well and just happy to get back out there again.”
Cooper learned that the Cubs were trying to trade him and was told multiple teams were showing interest.
“From what I heard, there were multiple teams involved,” Cooper said. “So I didn’t really know where or who I was going to. I kind of had a feeling, especially (after) the offseason, when I talked to Boston a lot. I talked to (Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig) Breslow on the phone a few times in the offseason. So I always felt like this was a possibility, especially with Triston going down. Just had an inkling that maybe it was Boston throughout the week.”
Cooper’s inkling was correct. The Red Sox sent cash back to the Cubs for his services. The former 2022 All-Star will fill in at first base while Triston Casas is dealing with a cartilage fracture in his ribcage.
“I saw Triston got hurt, and he was having a great start to the year,” Cooper said. “Now I’m just trying to come in here and just help—whatever the team needs. I’ve heard a bunch of great things about the guys here. So just getting acclimated is the biggest thing. Just excited to get going.”
