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During the offseason, Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas was a common name in trade rumors. Many believed the Red Sox would trade Casas so they could shift Rafael Devers to first base and sign an elite third baseman.
However, as the situation unfolded, Alex Bregman was signed to play third base without Casas being dealt. That has left Devers to be the everyday designated hitter. However, that does not mean the Red Sox will rule out trading Casas at the deadline. FOX Sports’ Rowan Kavner predicted the Red Sox would trade Casas to the Seattle Mariners by the end of the season.
“The Mariners finally deal from their pitching excess in an effort to add some much-needed pop,” wrote Kavner.
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The Mariners have a surplus of capable starting pitchers but little offensive stability. Casas could be an upgrade over Rowdy Tellez and Luke Raley at first base. Casas had a .800 OPS in 63 games last season, as he missed significant time with a rib injury. However, in 2023, he had a .263/.367/.490 slash line with 24 home runs.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow believes Casas is capable of a 40-home run, 120-RBI season, according to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier. Casas believes he can be an elite slugger for the Red Sox, but he may be forced to take his talents elsewhere if he’s traded. Regardless, whoever lands him will be getting a confident player, to say the least.
“I think that is the expectation for the first baseman of the Boston Red Sox,” Casas responded to Breslow’s confidence in him. “I think if I’m not able to do that, then I don’t deserve a job here. I don’t feel that’s out of my reach. I feel like that’s something that’s very possible for me to accomplish.”
He has hit 37 home runs in the last two seasons and is under club control until 2029. The Mariners could be willing to part ways with Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller or Logan Gilbert to land a young piece like Casas. He could end up becoming a key player for their future.
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