The Boston Red Sox have had quite a bit of turnover at first base this season. The club expected Triston Casas to be its everyday starter, but a ruptured patellar tendon ended his season prematurely, and possibly delayed his next one.
Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro have been good-to-great replacements in the lineup, but neither is a full-time first baseman, nor do they offer a long-term solution at the corner. After the Red Sox entered the All-Star break on a 10-game winning streak, they firmly established themselves as buyers, and a first baseman could be on their radar.
Red Sox reporter and insider Alex Speier of The Boston Globe named Athletics infielder Tyler Soderstrom as a potential trade option (subscription required). The A's are in last place in the American League West, and they're likely there to stay, making them clear sellers at this year's deadline.
The A's have a few other players with first base experience, including breakout rookie Nick Kurtz and All-Star and Home Run Derby participant Brent Rooker. If the former Oakland residents don't see a future with Soderstrom, Boston could consider a deal for the young slugger.
Red Sox insider Alex Speier names Tyler Soderstrom as potential first base trade candidate for Boston
Soderstrom, 23, is in the throes of his third season in the big leagues, and it's been his best one yet. He's slashing .257/.332/.450 with a .782 OPS over 102 games. He's knocked 15 doubles, a triple, 18 homers and 57 RBI. Soderstrom is listed as an outfielder on his A's roster page, but he's played 342 innings at first base this year, and he came up through the minor leagues as a first baseman and catcher.
Soderstrom has four years of control remaining on his contract after 2025 — not only are the A's under no pressure to move him now, it would take an intense trade package from any interested teams to entice them into a deal. Such a trade may not be worth it if the Red Sox think Casas has a future with the team after his injury.
There's no reason to expect Casas won't be back next season, but reports on his recovery have been few and far between. Dr. Eric Berkson, who performed surgery on Casas' knee after his fall, said he's expected to make a full recovery, and Casas hasn't been given any recovery timelines of more than a year. Still, that likely won't put him back on the field until after the 2026 season has started.
MLB insider Jeff Passan reported on July 23 that the Red Sox are unlikely to make any massive deadline moves, which would take Soderstrom off their radar. But the young first baseman would help Boston continue the youth movement that's taken over around the roster. Casas is still young, as well, and the Sox's plans around him will likely remain unclear until they get more updates on his injury recovery.