Red Sox ‘open’ to trading Triston Casas for pitching (report)
As Red Sox fans eagerly await Juan Soto’s decision on where he’d like to sign, Boston could possibly trade their left-handed slugger first baseman in a trade this winter.
According to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, the Red Sox “have been open” to trading Triston Casas to acquire pitching help this winter.
“The Red Sox have been open to using Casas as a trade chip for pitching help,” wrote Speier. “An executive for one American League club said the Sox offered Casas as a headliner in talks about one of that team’s arms, withholding Wilyer Abreu and the elite prospect group (Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer) from the proposal.”
Casas isn’t the only left-handed bat the Red Sox are looking to potentially move. The club has also reportedly looked to move right fielder and Gold Glove winner Wilyer Abreu.
Speier surmises the Red Sox could trade Casas for a front-of-the-rotation type of pitcher, move Rafael Devers to first base, and sign Alex Bregman or trade for the Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado.
According to a report by MassLive's Sean McAdam last week, there has been some discussion within the organization about moving Devers off third base.
Casas was plagued by a rib injury last season, slashing .241/.337/.462 line with 13 homers in 63 games. The slugger is a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat and could potentially become a 40 home run hitter. Boston’s need for an ace may outweigh the potential of Casas.
The 24-year-old hasn’t worried about the trade rumors.
“I haven’t given it much thought at all. I’m getting ready to take my at-bat to whatever state or city it may be in,” said Casas at the WooSox Holiday Gala on Saturday night. “Hopefully it’s for the Boston Red Sox, but if not, I feel like I can bring value to any team that would need a first baseman. I want to stay in Boston for a really long time. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, but wherever it may be, I’ll fit in just fine.”
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has denied the idea of trading Casas, going as far as saying, “I’m not sure where that’s coming from,” on November 5. “Casas is a guy that we think has 40-home run potential. He’s young and also has great strike zone discipline and controls an at-bat. We’re excited he’s on our team.”
Speier has called any potential Casas trade as “fairly limited,” but the Red Sox remain open-minded to moving the young star.
