The Boston Red Sox, who have been without an everyday first baseman since Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury on May 2, have found a potential replacement.
No, it isn’t Rafael Devers.
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On Thursday, the Red Sox acquired first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda from the Angels for cash considerations. A veteran of two major league seasons (2023-24) with the Oakland A’s, Noda had been designated for assignment earlier in the week.
Selected by the A’s in the 2022 Rule 5 draft out of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system, Noda slugged 16 home runs in 128 games as a rookie in 2023. He finished the season with a .229/.364/.406 slash line (118 OPS+) while seeing time at first base and both corner outfield positions.
Noda, 29, has been unable to replicate that success in either of his last two seasons, however. Sunday, he was designated for assignment.
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Noda had been slashing .148/.364/.270 at Triple-A Salt Lake, with four home runs in 38 games. He hit 22 home runs for the A’s Triple-A Las Vegas affiliate in 2024.
Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow approached Devers about taking over the first-base job after Casas ruptured the patellar tendon in his left knee.
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Not only did Devers rebuke the request, Devers openly wondered “what he has with me.”
John Henry, the principal owner of the Boston Red Sox, flew to Kansas City to meet with Devers. Kristian Campbell began taking grounders at first base.
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Now, the Red Sox will turn to Noda, who’s on his third organization in less than two seasons. It’s a low-risk move for Boston, who will look to help Noda rediscover the power stroke that originally endeared him to the A’s.
The Angels couldn’t afford to be patient with Noda, given the needs of their major league roster. Their bullpen is in disarray; its 6.66 ERA through Wednesday ranks 30th in MLB.
The Angels DFA’d Noda in order to make room for Hunter Strickland. The veteran right-hander needed to be added to the team’s 40-man roster before he could be promoted to the majors.
Strickland is one of 20 different players to pitch in relief for the Angels this season.
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