3 players the Red Sox can extend to build a semblance of a core

Triston Casas

Triston Casas has earned the fan-favorite status during his first full season in a Red Sox uniform. The 24-year-old is charismatic and carries a powerful presence at the plate.

After stalling at the beginning of the 2023 season, Casas exploded out of the All-Star break to collect the fourth-best OPS in the league for the second half of the year. Casas' single-season transformation suggests that he's adaptable and coachable, two things that could help him improve his defense throughout his big league career.

In 132 games, Casas hit .263/.367/.490 and belted 24 home runs. If the lefty can unlock his post-All-Star break potential for all of the coming season, those numbers will skyrocket. Casas also walks a ton — he ranks in the 93rd percentile in walk rate. His ability to get on base is much-needed in the current Red Sox lineup that lacks ... so much.

Like Bello, Casas also expressed interest in an extension with Boston. It's in the Red Sox's best interest to sign the young slugger before other teams catch onto his value and the arbitration process gets messy.