"I’m getting ready to take my at-bat to whatever state, city it may be in."
The Red Sox have reportedly kicked the tires on some of the top free-agent pitchers on the market like Max Fried and Corbin Burnes.
But while also in the hunt for the top free agent available in Juan Soto, the Red Sox are keeping tabs on the trade market in search of a top-of-the-rotation starter.
If the Red Sox want to be in the running for an ace like Garrett Crochet, Zac Gallen, or George Kirby, they’re going to have to give up a coveted prospect or big-leaguer to headline the return.
According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, the Red Sox “have been open to using [Triston] Casas as a trade chip for pitching help.”
“An executive for one American League club said the Sox offered Casas as a headliner in talks about one of that team’s arms, withholding Wilyer Abreu and the elite prospect group (Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer) from the proposal,” Speier wrote, adding that Boston has also held trade talks “that didn’t include Casas.”
Casas has been a familiar name tossed out on the trade market this winter, given his high upside, age, and Boston’s ability to reshuffle in the infield to make up for the 24-year-old first baseman’s potential absence.
“What if you could trade him for one of Seattle’s young starters? Seattle needs a first baseman,” longtime MLB insider Ken Rosenthal said last month of Casas’ viability as a trade chip. “They’re not going to spend on Pete Alonso or Christian Walker, in my estimation. Well, here’s Tristan Cass, a minimum-salary guy for another year or two.
“And if you maybe give up a Bryan Woo, or some other young starter — who would be, in my opinion, the most likely one [traded] — well that’s interesting.”
Casas impressed in his first full season with the Red Sox in 2023, finishing third in AL Rookie of the Year voting after slugging 24 home runs and driving in 65 runs over 132 games. But he was limited due to injuries in 2024, playing in just 63 games and batting .241 with 13 home runs and 32 RBI.
Even though Casas’ value has waned some, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow pushed back against trade rumors involving the first baseman last month.
“I’m not sure where that’s coming from,” Breslow said at the GM Meetings of Casas’ being involved in trade talks. “Casas is a guy that we think has 40-home run potential. He’s young and also has a great strike zone discipline and controls an at-bat. We’re excited he’s on our team.”
If the Red Sox do find a trade suitor for Casas that nets a starting pitcher in return, Boston could always shift Rafael Devers over to first base and then either sign a corner infielder like Alex Bregman or trade for one like Nolan Arenado to add a right-handed hitter with pop to the lineup.
But even with Casas’ appeal as a trade chip, Speier noted: “Though the Sox are exploring all avenues this winter, including trading Casas, the likelihood of doing so when they’d be selling low is fairly limited.”
“I haven’t given it much thought at all. I’m getting ready to take my at-bat to whatever state, city it may be in,” Casas told Speier at the WooSox Foundation Honors Gala on Saturday. “Hopefully it’s for the Boston Red Sox, but if not, I feel like I can bring value to any team that would need a first baseman.
“I want to stay in Boston for a really long time. … I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, but wherever it may be, I’ll fit in just fine.”
