Injury Sidelines Star First Baseman Triston Casas, Leaving Boston Red Sox in Quest for Replacement
On a chilly Friday night in Boston, Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas took a tumble while hustling to first base. To the dismay of fans, he was carted off the field in clear agony after tearing his patellar tendon in his left knee. Undergoing surgery on Sunday, Casas' season is over before it even began. This devastating blow comes after he missed 98 games last season due to a fractured rib, dimming the team's high hopes for the power-hitting lefty. As of now, Casas is batting an underwhelming .182 with just three home runs.
With Casas out for the season, the Red Sox are left in a conundrum. Fans can't help but speculate on their next move, and it's becoming quite theossiping topic in the Back Bay. MLB Trade Rumors even conducted a poll asking fans for their opinions on the matter. Jen McCafffrey from The Athletic provided a comprehensive rundown of the possible solutions. Here are a few ideas that have been circulating:
Hometown Heroes
Rafael Devers: Rumors have swirled about signing Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman and moving Devers to first since last season. However, Devers struggles defensively at third, and some believe keeping him in the lineup would be more beneficial. In an initial reluctance to move Devers to first, the Red Sox made him their designated hitter instead. Despite some initial grumbles, Devers seems to have adjusted well to his new role and President of Baseball Operations Craig Breslow suggests that nothing is off the table.
Kristian Campbell: Racking up American League Rookie of the Month for April, Campbell has been slashing .290/.394/.477 with a 145 OPS+. His rise through the minors was swift, but he's never really found a permanent home. Campell mainly plays second base, but his athletic build, versatility, and speed could potentially enable a shift to first.
An up-and-coming Prospect: Both Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer have been crushing it in the minors, with Mayer posting a .491 slugging average, and Anthony not far behind. Both have primarily played shortstop or third base, but their outstanding performance might be enough to persuade them to give first base a shot.
External Options
Last year, when Casas suffered a fractured rib, the Red Sox quickly acquired Dominic Smith. His performance was underwhelming, but the team may still consider being proactive this time around. A few notable names that have emerged are:
Yuli Gurriel: Known for his struggles in recent years, Gurriel was recently designated for assignment by the San Diego Padres. His decline in production over the past few seasons makes him a risky option.
Anthony Rizzo: What a twist it would be if the Red Sox managed to bring back one of their own! Boston drafted Rizzo in the sixth round of the 2007 draft, but he never made it to the majors with the Red Sox. Instead, he's become a much-loved player for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. With his production dwindling the last two seasons, it remains to be seen if he would take a pay cut to join the Red Sox.
Present Strategies
In the short term, the Red Sox have tentatively decided to start Romy González and Abraham Toro at first base. Both have below-average career OPS statistics, making this a less-than-ideal situation.
As the Red Sox are a team known for their deep talent pool and aggressive front office, they surely have a plan to address this issue before the season gets too far along. There's no telling what they'll decide, but it's sure to be interesting. After all, they could always call on the likes of Trevor Story or Wilyer Abreau to give first base a go... maybe? (Answer: Nope, they've never tried their hand at first base.)
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Marcelo Mayer: With experience at shortstop, second, and third base, Mayer is an adaptable option for first base. He's currently performing well in the minors, thanks in part to his league-leading .491 slugging percentage.
Roman Anthony: Known as Boston's top prospect, Anthony has yet to debut in the major leagues. Although he's never played first base in a professional game, the Red Sox have suggested that they may consider moving him to the position.
Vaughn Grissom: Acquired from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Chris Sale, Grissom is no stranger to the Red Sox organization. Though he hasn't played a single game at first base in the major leagues, his athletic ability suggests that he could successfully make the transition.
Joey Meneses: A former Red Sox prospect, Meneses has established himself as a powerful hitter for the Washington Nationals. If signed to a major league contract, he could prove to be a solid fit as a replacement.
Jon Singleton: Currently playing for the Syracuse Mets, Singleton offers a left-handed power bat, making him an option for a potential platoon with González.
Trade Options: With a slew of talented first baseman on the market, the Red Sox could seek to make a trade to acquire a more established player.
Rafael Devers might be moved to first base if the Red Sox decide to sign a third baseman given his struggles at the position. Kristian Campbell, who can potentially shift to first base due to his athletic build and speed, is an internal option. Marcelo Mayer, a versatile prospect currently performing well in the minors, could also fill the void at first base. The Red Sox could consider external options like Anthony Rizzo, a homegrown talent with declining production, or Yuli Gurriel, who was recently designated for assignment by the San Diego Padres. Other trade options include Jon Singleton, Joey Meneses, and Vaughn Grissom.
