After news broke that Triston Casas' rib injury would likely have him sidelined long-term, Boston Red Sox fans hoped the team would search externally for another option at first base.
The Red Sox have acquired Garrett Cooper from their current opponent, the Chicago Cubs, for cash considerations, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive. The first baseman was DFA'd by Chicago on April 23 after he played 12 games for the club. The Red Sox will need to clear a space on the 26-man roster before the trade can be made official.
Cooper performed well at the plate in his short stint with the Cubs. He's batting .270/.341/.432 in 41 plate appearances and he's knocked a double, a triple and a home run. The veteran first baseman does tend to strike out, and he's racked up 13 strikeouts to just four walks, but his bat is more consistent than the other options Boston has been slotting into its decimated infield.
The Red Sox had interest in Cooper when he was a free agent during the offseason. Boston was in the hunt for a right-handed bat to diversify its heavily left-handed batting order, and Cooper was one of the last remaining options that fit its needs at a low price.
Red Sox acquired Garrett Cooper from Cubs for cash considerations
It's a done deal. Red Sox get Garrett Cooper from the Cubs for cash.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 27, 2024
With colleagues @SmittyOnMLB and @Sean_McAdam:https://t.co/17xMLD7IDu
Cooper has eight years of MLB experience and he could bring leadership to the Sox's young infield. The first baseman is a career .270/.341/.432 hitter and he earned an All-Star Game appearance with Miami in 2022. He hit 17 home runs in 2023, a career-high.