Are Boston Red Sox's fans ready to experience some big Dom Smith moments? Having lost Triston Casas to what may very well be a season-ending injury on Friday night, the Red Sox need a Plan B at first base. Perhaps a reunion with Smith should be in the works.
Casas collapsed on his way to first base after Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan clumsy fielded the ball and tossed it toward a covering Ty France. Though Casas made contact with France as he lunged toward the bag, it appeared that his left knee buckled before reaching first base.
Casas' injury has been deemed significant, but the full extent of it has yet to be revealed. Casas was carted off the field, and whenever that happens, there's almost assuredly an IL stint and a long, drawn out rehab ahead. Red Sox fans should be bracing for the worst-case scenario.
Dom Smith could be the perfect Red Sox replacement for Triston Casas
But it's doubtful that Boston wants to trot out Romy Gonzalez as the team's everyday first baseman in Casas' absence. The Red Sox have been hesitant to play Rafael Devers at first base, so finding a longer-term replacement may be in the cards. Casas himself has been struggling this season. Once thought to be a big piece of the Red Sox's offense, he was hitting just .182 with a .580 OPS before exiting the game on Friday night.
Smith would be the perfect platoon partner for Gonzalez. The left-handed hitting Smith, though struggling in Triple-A at the moment, has historically posted better numbers against right-handers. Red Sox manager Alex Cora could shuttle Smith and Gonzalez in and out of the lineup as the pitching matchup dictates, and at least salvage some sort of offensive production at first base.
The Red Sox should work out a trade with the Yankees for Dom Smith
Of course, trading for Smith would require the Red Sox to do something they rarely do — work with their sworn enemy, the New York Yankees. Smith is currently part of the Yankees' organization and is playing ball at Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre.
Adding Smith to the roster should be as simple as shipping cash considerations or a lower-level prospect to the Yankees. Though knowing how much Boston fans loved Smith during his tenure, that sneaky little weasel Brian Cashman might try to milk the Red Sox front office for all he can.
Regardless of the cost, Boston needs to find a short-term replacement at first base, and few things would be better than some big Dom Smith moments at Fenway Park.