The Red Sox have a lot to sort through before the November 20 non-tender deadline, and Triston Casas sits near the center of that decision.
Boston’s 40-man roster is already crowded, and Casas’ name comes with real uncertainty because he didn’t play in a single game in 2026 at either the major or minor league level. Multiple injuries kept him off the field, and that reality has put him in danger of being non-tendered.
Still, the Red Sox ought to think twice before moving on too quickly. Casas’ injury history is frustrating, but the setbacks have come from freak accidents rather than reckless play or bad mechanics.
In 2024, the cartilage in his ribs separated from his ribcage on a hard swing. Later, he had a non-contact knee injury while running.
Most recently, he had arthroscopic surgery on his wrist. The absences are real, but they aren’t the product of carelessness.
And when Casas has been on the field, the bat has played. He was an American League Rookie of the Year finalist in 2023 - yes, a long time ago now - and hit .857 OPS with 24 home runs in 132 games.
That kind of power is exactly why Boston should keep the door open. A slugger is the biggest need on the Red Sox’s offseason checklist, and they were one of the worst home run teams in baseball this season with 163.
Even if they bring in another power bat, more pop would still help. A healthy Casas gives them another path to it.
He also still has three minor league options left, which gives Boston flexibility. If he gets healthy this season, the Red Sox could send him to Triple-A for reps. If he hits well enough to look like himself again, or if injuries hit the infield, he can be called up as a depth option.
And if Casas somehow gets all the way back to his 2023 level, he could matter in a much bigger way. That would require some lineup shuffling, since Willson Contreras is now the everyday first baseman, but the Red Sox have already learned that the “rotating designated hitter” approach they’ve used in recent seasons doesn’t work. Contreras is the better defender, which makes Casas the more logical DH candidate - if he earns that role after proving himself in the minors.
Money shouldn’t be the issue here. Casas’ expected salary is $1.7 million, and Boston has more than enough room for that number, even if the updated CBA could change plenty before it expires.
For now, the safer play is patience. The Red Sox need power badly enough to give Casas one more shot to get healthy and rediscover the swing that once made him such a promising piece.
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