The Boston Red Sox seemingly have roster bloat across the diamond, but their depth at first base is notably thin.
Triston Casas is the Red Sox's only MLB-ready first baseman by trade. A few publications floated a potential move to first base for new designated hitter and former third baseman Rafael Devers, but moving his questionable defense there would be a risk for Boston. Romy González, a true utility player, has put in some time at first base and done a solid job, but the Red Sox seem unlikely to use him as a permanent solution to their depth issues.
Rumors surfaced during the 2024-25 offseason that then-impending free agent Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was on the Red Sox's radar and that they were on his. But on April 7, he agreed to a monster 14-year, $500 million extension with the Blue Jays to avoid the free agent market altogether.
Regardless of whether Boston's front office actually thought it'd have a chance at Guerrero, its plans for the future at first base may need to change, especially since the team seemed determined to trade Casas over the offseason. Luckily for the Red Sox, 98.5 The Sports Hub radio host Tony Massarotti has a crazy suggestion.
Radio host's suggestion that the Red Sox move Roman Anthony to first base also digs at Triston Casas
If I’m the Red Sox, I start playing Roman Anthony at first base in Worcester.
— Tony Massarotti (@TonyMassarotti) April 8, 2025
In an April 8 post on Twitter, Massarotti advocated for the Worcester Red Sox to begin playing top outfield prospect Roman Anthony at first base. Massarotti has previously taken issue with Anthony's defense and he's been a vocal critic of Casas, on and off the field. His recent suggestion kills two birds with one stone, but it's unwise.
Without Guerrero in the Red Sox's future picture, they do need additional first base depth, but moving Anthony and forcing a trade of Casas isn't the way to go about it. Not only is Anthony's defense in the outfield perfectly adequate, but moving his position so close to his expected MLB debut could be problematic and a hindrance to his development in both the infield and outfield.
Casas' performance in the big leagues hasn't matched the hype he received as a top prospect, but he hasn't been rough enough to force a position move or a hasty trade. He's a notoriously slow starter but has picked up at the plate as the season has progressed and is batting .261/.320/.478 with a homer in his last seven games. He's also been a critical part of the Red Sox's league-leading 1.42 double plays per game, on average.
Moving Anthony to first base also wouldn't help address Boston's left-hand dominance in the batting order. Anthony and Casas are both lefty hitters, and unless the Sox add a righty outfielder to take Anthony's place when they trade or demote Casas to a smaller role, the bats still won't be balanced or make appropriate use of the Green Monster.
Even after the offseason acquisition of Alex Bregman and with a fully healthy Trevor Story in the lineup, the Red Sox's infield defense is still lacking. Moving Anthony to first base won't help address that, and Boston has plenty of money — and, allegedly, a renewed desire to be competitive — to sign or trade for a right-handed, defensively strong first baseman.