But the Red Sox lacked a true No. 2 starter behind Crochet. Brayan Bello (11-9, 3.35) and Lucas Giolito (10-4, 3.41) each attempted to stake claims to the role, but both lacked the consistency to rise above mid-rotation level.

The drop in quality from Crochet to the rest of the rotation was steep, and it showed in the American League Wild Card Series when — after Crochet threw 7 2/3 innings of four-hit, one-run baseball in Game 1, leading the Red Sox to the win, Bello lasted just 28 pitches into the second game, and Boston started rookie Connelly Early, making only his fifth major league start, in the deciding third game.

There have been numerous trade proposals floating around the baseball grapevine and in the media all suggesting how Boston might land a legitimate No. 2, but on Thursday, “Locked on Red Sox” podcast host Gabby Maljanian and her counterpart at “Locked on Marlins,” Jeremiah Geiger, came up with a new one.

According to the two experts on their respective teams, the Red Sox could send a package of players topped by first baseman Triston Casas to Miami to get back 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara.

In addition to being a homecoming for the Miami-born Casas — the Red Sox’s 2018 first-round draft pick out of American Heritage High School in Plantation, about 30 miles northwest of Miami — the trade would also fill a glaring need for the Marlins, who after a 79-83, third-place finish in the NL East hope to get back into playoff contention next season.

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The Marlins need a first baseman. Seven different players filled in at the position for Miami this season, led by rookie Eric Wagaman who posted a .655 OPS in 106 games there.

Casas had played 251 games in his four seasons with the Red Sox, compiling an .800 OPS and swatting 45 home runs in 816 at-bats, a rate of one every 18.1 at-bats. By comparison, former New York Mets free agent first baseman Pete Alonso — considered a strong possibility to sign with Boston — has averaged one homer every 14.3 at-bats in his career.

Of course, the problem with Casas is his health. After missing 99 games in 2024 with a rib injury, Casas tore his patellar tendon on May 2 this year and missed the remainder of the season. But he is expected to be ready to return in 2026.

Acquiring Casas, according to Geiger, is “the Marlins’ mode of establishing a young core and to see if maybe a change of scenery helps (Casas). … I’d be interested to see a package that the Red Sox would offer the Marlins, if they make Sandy available, that has Casas in it because he’s controllable.”

Casas does not become eligible for free agency until after the 2028 season. But for the Red Sox, Alcantara would remain in Boston for at least two seasons — though at a cost of $17.3 million in 2026 and, if the team picked up his option, $21 million in 2027.

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