His season-ending injury came at a position where the Red Sox did not have many internal suitors in the organization to take over. Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro are set to platoon in the short term, but the Red Sox need better to stay on track with the intentions to snap a three-year playoff drought.
Last season, Dom Smith was serviceable and Garrett Cooper got injured quickly in their efforts to fill in while Casas missed nearly 100 games with a rib cartilage injury. The Red Sox need an improved solution this time around.
Anthony Rizzo wasn’t on an MLB team at the start of May, though he played 92 games when the New York Yankees made a World Series appearance in 2024. He may not be the All-Star bat he was with the Chicago Cubs, but Rizzo is a real big-leaguer and the Red Sox need one to stay in the race in 2025.
Rizzo hit 32 home runs for the Yankees in 2022, and his experience around the bag at first base as a defender would even be an upgrade for the Red Sox. He’s 35 years old and didn’t want to sign for a discount last winter after New York declined his option. He’s a trusted veteran who can hold down the position better than any option currently on the roster, especially with Rafael Devers firmly put as the designated hitter.
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There’s no better option in-house. In early May, it might be hard to find a better external option as well. The Red Sox, who drafted Rizzo in the sixth round of the 2007 MLB Draft, should absolutely check in with the veteran.
He made sense for Boston before the 2021 MLB trade deadline before he went to New York and the Red Sox added Kyle Schwarber. Now, his value should be back on their radar.
