After the Boston Red Sox signed Walker Buehler earlier this week, it seemed like Casas was safe from trade speculation. With Buehler and Garrett Crochet joining the rotation, the Red Sox appeared to have enough pitching depth, reducing the need to deal their powerful first baseman for more starting pitching.
However, following the Buehler signing, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported that the Red Sox had attempted to bundle Masataka Yoshida’s contract with Casas in a trade package for Seattle Mariners ace Luis Castillo. This only fueled more speculation, as the idea of moving Casas—a player with significant power and potential—is still surprising to many.
So, is there any possibility the Red Sox would trade their 6-foot-5 slugger with 40-homer potential this winter? It’s certainly not out of the question, as blockbuster trade rumors continue to surface.
On Thursday, Zach Pressnell of Newsweek suggested the Red Sox could deal Casas, along with pitcher Richard Fitts and infielder Mikey Romero, to the San Diego Padres in exchange for right-handed pitcher who ranked third in the league in strikeouts last season.
Pressnell emphasized the value Casas could bring in a trade, noting that despite his injury issues last year, he’s still just 24 years old with enormous upside. “When healthy, Casas has .800 or .900 OPS potential with a huge bat, good athleticism, and consistent power,” Pressnell said. “He’s under team control for several more years.”
“Given the Red Sox’s minor league organization, they can afford to trade some of their position player talent to make a run at a title in 2025. This deal helps them do that. If they can acquire either Arenado or Bregman, trading Casas to acquire Cease makes a lot of sense.”
Everything Pressnell says about Triston Casas is spot on, and that should make the Red Sox even more cautious about trading him. While first basemen may not carry the same WAR value as some other positions in today’s game, Casas’ bat has the potential to develop into a serious threat—possibly even a superstar.
If Boston is seriously considering trading Casas to acquire Dylan Cease, they’d better ensure they can lock Cease up with a long-term extension. Spotrac estimates his market value at five years, $109 million, which makes securing him for the long haul crucial if the trade is to be worth it.
The thought of Garrett Crochet and Dylan Cease anchoring the top of the rotation for years is undeniably enticing. However, giving up a player like Casas, with his immense power and upside, could ultimately prove to be a high price to pay.
Leave a Reply