Triston Casas might not be the headline-grabber of the Red Sox offseason, but he’s quietly become one of the more intriguing storylines to watch. At 25, Casas is still a player with serious upside-a left-handed bat with power, plate discipline, and the kind of presence you don’t teach. But as manager Alex Cora recently pointed out, he’s also become something of a forgotten man, largely because of his injury history.
Make no mistake: the Red Sox haven’t forgotten about him. And based on recent comments from Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, they’re still very much invested in what Casas can bring-both now and in the years ahead.
The big question, of course, is health. Casas needs to prove he can stay on the field and contribute over a full season.
That’s been the missing piece so far. When he’s healthy, the tools are obvious: a patient hitter who can manage the strike zone and drive the ball out of the yard.
That’s a profile every team wants at first base, and Boston knows it.
Breslow addressed the situation directly, making it clear this isn’t a matter of doubting Casas’ talent. “He’s got the same talent that he had,” Breslow said.
“The ability to manage the strike zone, to hit the ball out of the park. We need that.
We’re going to need that.”
But there’s also a note of caution in Breslow’s tone-a recognition that pushing a player too hard, too fast after a significant injury can backfire. That’s why the Red Sox are keeping their options open.
Casas still has minor league options available, and the team might use them to ease him back into everyday play. That doesn’t mean they’re down on him-it means they’re playing the long game.
So could Casas be the Opening Day first baseman? Absolutely.
Breslow even said as much: “He could, for sure.” But Boston isn’t making any promises just yet.
They’re focused on making sure Casas is fully ready-physically and mentally-before throwing him into the fire. And if that means a short stint in Triple-A to get his timing and confidence back, that’s on the table.
The Red Sox are clearly walking a fine line here. They see the upside.
They know what Casas can be. But they also understand that development isn’t always linear, and rushing a return from injury can derail a promising career.
What they want is the best version of Triston Casas-whether that’s on Opening Day or a few weeks into the season.
For Red Sox fans, it’s a wait-and-see situation. But don’t mistake patience for indifference.
Boston still believes in Casas. Now it’s just a matter of getting him back on the field-and keeping him there.