On December 22, the Red Sox made a bold move that could reshape the corner infield dynamic in Boston: Craig Breslow sent three pitchers to the Cardinals in exchange for Willson Contreras. While Contreras is best known as a catcher, Boston reportedly plans to use him primarily at first base - a position currently held by Triston Casas, the homegrown slugger who’s manned the spot for the past two seasons.
Contreras brings a right-handed bat with legitimate pop and steady defense, and his addition adds some much-needed thump to the Red Sox lineup. But the move also raises a clear question: what does this mean for Casas?
There’s no sugarcoating it - Casas' future in Boston is suddenly uncertain. According to Red Sox insider Chris Cotillo, a trade could be on the horizon.
The organization has reportedly explored moving Casas in the past, but injuries and inconsistency have kept his market lukewarm. If he’s going to attract serious interest now, he’ll need to show out in spring training or start the season hot.
The Red Sox have been in this position before. Just last year, they signed Alex Bregman to play third base - after spending the offseason assuring Rafael Devers that the job was his.
That move stirred the pot, and while the situations aren’t identical, there’s a familiar tension brewing. To their credit, the front office has been more transparent with Casas, but transparency doesn’t always mean stability.
If the right deal comes along, Boston could still pull the trigger.
Now, let’s be clear: Casas and Devers aren’t in the same tier of production. Devers is a cornerstone.
Casas, on the other hand, has shown flashes but has yet to put together a full, healthy season. He’s still developing - at the plate, in the field, and in terms of durability.
That’s why any trade involving him would likely hinge on his early-season performance.
But moving Casas wouldn’t come without risk. The Red Sox farm system is thin at the corners.
If either Contreras or Casas goes down and the other is no longer around, Boston doesn’t have a clear next man up. That lack of depth has already cost them in past seasons when Casas was sidelined - both defensively and in the power department.
His eye at the plate and raw pop are hard to replicate internally.
Still, the Red Sox are entering a pivotal stretch in their competitive window. They’ve made moves that signal a desire to win now, and that means every roster spot matters.
If Casas doesn’t take a leap forward - or if Contreras proves to be the more reliable option - the front office may not wait around. A trade could give them the flexibility to address other needs.
Of course, there’s a version of this story where everything clicks. Maybe Casas stays healthy, rakes from the get-go, and the Red Sox find a way to rotate him and Contreras between first base and DH. That would be the ideal scenario - two dangerous bats, one position, and a manager’s dream of matchup flexibility.
But if that doesn’t happen? Then a change of scenery might be best for all involved. The potential is still there with Casas, but potential doesn’t always buy you time - especially on a team trying to contend.