The Boston Red Sox's recent stinginess in the free agent market and deep pool of young, position player talent make them a prime candidate to explore the trade market this offseason.
The Sox's outfield is packed, leaving them little room to add a righty bat, which Boston desperately needs after its lefty-heavy lineup made it susceptible to left-handed pitching in 2024. Lefty first baseman Triston Casas has also been popular in trade proposals since Ken Rosenthal's Sept. 13 column, in which he suggests the Red Sox should ship him elsewhere for a more experienced, righty infielder.
Many Boston fans and reporters have taken Rosenthal's proposal and run with it. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow addressed the rumors on Nov. 5 at MLB's general manager meetings.
“I’m not sure where that’s coming from,” Breslow said. “Casas is a guy that we think has 40-home run potential. He’s young and also has a great strike zone discipline and controls an at-bat. We’re excited he’s on our team.”
Craig Breslow addresses Red Sox Triston Casas trade rumors
Red Sox' Craig Breslow on Triston Casas trade rumors: ‘Not sure where that’s coming from’ https://t.co/xsciCxG78y
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) November 5, 2024
Casas only played 63 games last season after a rib cartilage injury kept him sidelined for four months in the middle of the campaign. He batted .241/.337/.462 with a .799 OPS, eight doubles, 13 homers and 32 RBI.
Casas' skillset and personality would make him a prime target for other clubs in need of a first baseman or a boost of lefty power, but his shortened 2024 slate has slashed his trade value for this year. He's never played more than 132 games in a season and he's only posted 222 appearances in his three years in the big leagues. Even if the Sox wanted to trade Casas, this would be the wrong time.
Many Red Sox fans have polarizing opinions about Casas, but Breslow seems sure he's the right fit for the team. Breslow has also said that no one is off the trade block this offseason, but Casas seems like a less likely trade option after his recent comments.