While Red Sox fans await the culmination of the club’s quest Juan Sotothere is a possibility that Boston could look to part with another left-handed slugger in a major trade this winter.
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according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globethe Red Sox “have been open” to using first baseman Triston Casas as a “trade chip for pitching help” so far this offseason and have offered him to at least one American League team in talks to a holder This news isn’t necessarily surprising as the Red Sox try to balance their organization by adding pitching talent left over from their glut of talented position players, but it’s newsworthy because Casas isn’t considered off limits.
Speier described the potential for a deal with Casas as “pretty limited” after a season in which he was limited to 63 games by a rib cage injury. Still, it’s clear the Red Sox are open to hearing from Casas, outfielder Wilyer Abreu and minor league prospects, though deals like Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell seem unlikely.
The trade market for starting pitchers has been slow so far this offseason, largely because top free agents Max Fried and Corbin Burnes are still available. (even though Blake Snell signed with the Dodgers). Chicago’s Garrett Crochet is of interest to Boston as is Seattle’s string of good starters (with Bryan Woo, Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller available if Jerry Dipoto chooses to listen). Arizona’s Zac Gallen could be a heaven-sent option if the Diamondbacks consider dealing him, and the Marlins have intriguing arms like Sandy Alcantara, Jesus Luzardo and Edward Cabrera. Crochet is the clearest commercial candidate of all, although it’s a little unclear how the rest of the market will shake out.
As MassLive’s Sean McAdam reported last weekthere has been talk among Red Sox decision makers about moving Rafael Devers from third base, so theoretically he could move to first base if Casas is indeed moved. That would open up the hot corner for the addition of someone like free agent Alex Bregman or Nolan Arenado from St. Louis, which is a commercial candidate. One player who won’t be joining Boston’s camp is Willy Adames, who agreed to a seven-year, $182 million deal with the Giants on Saturday. But the possibility of a creative domino effect remains.
Speaking to the Globe at an event at Polar Park on Saturday night, Casas acknowledged that he understood the possibility of a trade exists.
“I haven’t thought much about it. I’m getting ready to take my bat to whatever state, city it’s in,” Casas said. “Hopefully it’s for the Boston Red Sox, but if not, I think I can bring value to any team that needs a hitter. first base I want to stay in Boston for a long time. … I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, but wherever I am, I’ll fit right in.”