The Boston Red Sox are reportedly still in the market for rotation arms, even after their blockbuster trade for Garrett Crochet.
Multiple reports suggest that the Red Sox will be unwilling to pay the price associated with righty ace Corbin Burnes, who likely demands a long-term deal worth $200 million-plus. Ever since the David Price deal and Chris Sale extension, Red Sox principal owner John Henry has been reluctant to dish out such major contracts to pitchers.
Boston's refusal to spend on elite pitching has forced it to turn to the trade market for Crochet, and possibly other rotation talent. Most recently, the Red Sox have been linked to the Mariners as potential trade partners.
Part of Red Sox Nation is not enthusiastic about this connection, though. Seattle has already turned down a trade proposal that included Boston's slugging first baseman Triston Casas, and many Sox fans don't seem ready to part with him.
Good.
— Steve Perrault (@Steve_Perrault) December 11, 2024
Red Sox fans share their (negative) opinions on a potential trade of Triston Casas
Most of the speculations around the rumored Boston-Seattle trade include veteran righty Luis Castillo. MLB Network insider Jon Morosi believes the Mariners seek a trade to dump some salary to add capable hitters. Castillo has at least three years remaining on his contract, with a vesting option for a fourth, and he's slated to make more than $24 million in each of those seasons.
The Red Sox have plenty of payroll flexibility to take on Castillo's contract, but they also have plenty of room to add another starter from the free agent market without sacrificing any talent they already have. Boston sits almost $100 million below the 2025 luxury tax threshold of $241 million — it has no reason to be hesitant about adding Burnes or Jack Flaherty, who wouldn't even bring the payroll to the first competitive balance tax threshold.
NOT TRISTON CASAS. https://t.co/zc3ZO4ITkN
— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) December 11, 2024
Fans may not want to part with Casas because he's such a significant part of the incoming youth movement in Boston. He has a well-adjusted eye and plenty of slugging talent that plays at Fenway Park. The 24-year-old has also never played a full season without injury and hasn't reached his full potential. Not only have the Red Sox not seen everything he has to offer but his trade value is limited for the same reason.
The Red Sox have plenty of money and more than enough space below the luxury tax to avoid making another trade for pitching. The team sold its top prospects to fans for years and attested it would be time to spend when they all reached the league. Now that the time has come, Boston is still avoiding spending like the plague.
There is no reason for the Red Sox to trade Casas, and it would be extremely out of touch for them to do so.