Triston Casas underwent surgery on May 4 to repair the ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee, leaving the Boston Red Sox with a long-term vacancy at first base.
The same day, a former Red Sox first baseman lost his job with his new team. The Chicago White Sox designated Bobby Dalbec for assignment on Sunday morning. He signed a minor league deal with Chicago in January after he was DFA'd by the Red Sox on September 8.
Dalbec didn't make the White Sox's Opening Day roster, but he was called up on April 21 after a hot start in Triple-A. He slashed .326/.354/.696 with four homers over 12 games with the Charlotte Knights, but didn't fare as well in the majors. He batted .222/.333/.278 in 18 games with Chicago.
Dalbec spent eight seasons in the Red Sox organization, and while he consistently performed well in Triple-A, he struggled at the plate in the big leagues. His best season came in 2021, when he batted .240/.298/.494 with a .792 OPS, 21 doubles, five triples and 25 homers over 133 games, but his offensive performance declined in each of the following years. Dalbec still holds fan-favorite status among Red Sox fans for his best showing, though — he and the 2021 squad are the most recent Red Sox team to make the playoffs, and he was a staple in the lineup.
Red Sox should avoid reunion with recently-DFA'd White Sox first baseman Bobby Dalbec
The White Sox now have a week to attempt to trade Dalbec before he hits waivers, and if he clears, he can elect free agency. Whether via trade or just a minor league deal, the Red Sox should avoid a potential reunion with Dalbec.
Boston has used a few internal options at first base since Casas' injury on May 3. Romy González started the final two games of the Twins series at first base, and Abraham Toro entered as a pinch hitter later in the May 4 tilt. González has hit well in the early goings of the season (.327/.382/.449 over 16 games), but the Red Sox have had great success with him as a true utility player. Toro doesn't move the needle for the offense, and Dalbec surely wouldn't either.
The Red Sox lead MLB in one-run losses (nine) and blown saves (eight). The team desperately needs an offensive jolt, which many expected Casas to provide following his lost 2024 season due to a rib cartilage injury. He slashed .182/.277/.303 with 27 strikeouts in 29 games, which left the offense with less power than anticipated.
Sean McAdam of MassLive believes Boston will look to external options to play first base in Casas' absence, and it has plenty of money and farm system depth to sign or trade for a first baseman who would out-hit both Casas and Dalbec. The Red Sox's offensive inconsistency has been their biggest killer in recent losses, and Dalbec is far from the best choice to spark their bats.