Triston Casas shares who he thinks should play third base for the Red Sox this season
Alex Cora and Craig Bresow haven’t publicly announced where Alex Bregman will play for this coming season. That didn’t stop first baseman Triston Casas from sharing his opinion on where his new teammate should play.
There’s been speculation this spring that the Red Sox will move Bregman to third base, his natural position, slide Rafael Devers to designated hitter, clearing a path for Kristian Campbell to make the Opening Day roster and play second base.
Casas believes Devers should be the Red Sox third baseman and backed his teammate one day after telling reporters he wouldn’t move off third base.
“I think it’s Raffy Devers' position,” Casas said Tuesday afternoon at JetBlue Park. “I think he’s the third baseman. And at that point, that’s where it stands. He’s done it for a really long time now. And I think he’s only getting better at that position. I think his defense is getting better every single year. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know it holds Raffy Devers. So I think he’s gotta play defense. It’s going to keep him athletic. And he’s going to hit because of him being at third base.
“He doesn’t know any other position,” Casas added. “He doesn’t want to play any other position. And he’s going to fight for it even if it’s with any of the younger guys, any new guy. I think he’s the best third baseman in the league. I wouldn’t take anybody over him. So I think he should play third base.”
Casas also believes that Bregman should play second base this coming season.
“I think Bregman should play second base, yeah,” Casas said. “I think he’s going to make the transition well. I think he’s athletic enough to (do it). And I think Trevor (Story) is going to play an awesome shortstop.”
Casas’ opinions on the roster didn’t stop with just Devers and Bregman; he also feels that the Sox’ top prospects in Campbell, Marcelo Mayer, and Roman Anthony should start the season in the minors.
Red Sox reporters asked Casas if he’d have the “Big 3” on the Opening Day roster, and he replied, “No. I think we’ve got some grown men up there right now that need to iron some things out. We need to show up and see what that first little taste of us all together looks like. I think their time is going to come. And it could be earlier rather than later. But I think for right now the roster is beautiful. It’s organized great. And it’s structured really well.”
It’s evident Casas was coming to the defense of his teammate in Devers while also giving his opinion, similar to what he’s done in the past. Whether Casas believes what he said or he was trolling the media following the coverage of Devers’ presser on Monday remains to be seen.
