As the Boston Red Sox seek to bolster their lineup with right-handed power, two major options have emerged, each with blockbuster potential. The first and more straightforward path would be to sign Houston Astros free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, who is reportedly looking for a $200 million contract.
The second option is more intricate, involving a trade for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has indicated that moving Arenado’s contract is a priority as part of a roster “reset.” However, Arenado’s no-trade clause complicates matters, and his current deal guarantees the 33-year-old eight-time All-Star $74 million over the next three seasons.
While Bregman has shown some openness to transitioning to second base, either acquisition would create an issue at Boston’s corner infield spots. Rafael Devers, in the third season of a 10-year, $313.5 million contract, is firmly entrenched at third base, while 24-year-old Triston Casas, a key piece of the Red Sox’s young core, holds down first base.
Casas Would Become Odd Man Out
Moving Rafael Devers off third base would likely require shifting him to first, which could make Triston Casas the odd man out and a potential trade candidate.
However, Red Sox chief of baseball operations Craig Breslow has consistently denied that Casas is on the trade block.
“We’re not shopping Triston,” Breslow stated in late December. “He obviously missed a number of months during the season, and we’re really excited for him to be completely healthy. He’s had a full healthy offseason.”
Despite Breslow’s denials, a new report from Boston-based outlet MassLive suggests a more nuanced perspective, leaving room for the possibility of a trade.
“Although chief baseball officer Craig Breslow firmly denied earlier this week that the team was shopping Casas, there’s still a belief within the industry that the Red Sox are open to trading him, possibly for young pitching, to enable other roster adjustments,” wrote MassLive reporters Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam. “The Red Sox have engaged in discussions about Casas with the Mariners and other teams this offseason, though no deal has been finalized.”
Who’s Better? Casas or Arenado?
Cotillo later clarified his report on his X account (formerly Twitter), stating:
“1) Since October, I’ve consistently said I wouldn’t trade him if I were in charge, but I’m not.
2) I understand Breslow seemed to dismiss the idea.
3) However, his dismissal doesn’t negate the fact that other teams’ executives have been informed he’s available.”
If the Red Sox were to pursue Arenado, whether Casas was included in that trade or dealt separately, the outcome would essentially be Arenado replacing Casas. How do the two compare?
Based on their 2024 stats, the swap would represent a downgrade for the Red Sox offensively. Despite playing in just 63 games, Casas posted better numbers than Arenado: a .337 on-base percentage, .462 slugging, and .800 OPS, compared to Arenado’s .325 OBP, .394 SLG, and .719 OPS.
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