Speaking on ‘Foul Territory TV’ on Wednesday, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that the organization isn’t giving up on first baseman Triston Casas.
He says that Casas is a “big part of what we’re trying to accomplish, but we’ve got to get him healthy.” He said that last season there was talk of him having 30-homers and 100-RBIs for the Sox, which is his way of reminding everyone how good Casas can be.
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The Red Sox will have a chance to speak truth to Cora’s words this offseason, but will they?
A first-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft out of the Florida high school ranks, Casas made his major league debut in 2022. Still just 25 years old, he impressed in 2023, hitting .263 with 24 homers and 65 RBIs, but he played just 63 games in 2024 because of injury, and he played just 29 because of a devastating leg injury this past season.
He’s also struggled in limited samples each of those years, hitting .241 in 2024 and .182 in 2025.
We’re getting very mixed messaging from the Red Sox right now, aren’t we?
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On one hand, Cora is out here talking glowingly about Casas (although what’s he supposed to say about a current player on his roster?), and on the other, every reporter out there is linking the Red Sox to Pete Alonso at first.
The Sox themselves have said they are seeking impact bats this offseason, and Alonso certainly fits that profile. Other than adding a third baseman like Alex Bregman or Eugenio Suarez, Boston doesn’t really have any other places on the field to add. The roster is pretty much set, and in fact, they are looking to trade away one of Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu because of overcrowding on the position player front.
So, what’s the truth? Are they going to stick with Casas and work solely on third base? Or will they sign Alonso and maybe give third base over to youngster Marcelo Mayer?
Or, could they look to bring in a player at each corner?
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If Boston is hellbent on adding at least one impact bat, the easiest conclusion is to bring in a first baseman like Alonso. This would allow them to play Kristian Campbell (who they’ve already paid) at second base, and Mayer at third, with Trevor Story at second.
If they were to sign a first and a third baseman, then Mayer and Campbell’s roles would be major storylines in the spring.
Yes, but he’s only getting more expensive through arbitration, and his value has never been lower.
The Red Sox are in a very tough spot. They have a young player with a lot of upside that they can’t fully trust to stay healthy, or be productive, but they also have a player that’s tough to trade. Casas could head to the bench, but he wouldn’t be platoon player if the Red Sox sign someone of Alonso’s caliber either.
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