Triston Casas Is Running Out of Rope in Boston - and Spring Training Just Turned Up the Heat
Just a year ago, Triston Casas looked like a cornerstone in the making for the Red Sox. A sweet left-handed swing, a disciplined eye at the plate, and the kind of raw power that had Boston fans dreaming of a long-term solution at first base.
That .263/.367/.490 slash line with 23 homers in 2023? It wasn’t just promising - it was the kind of production the Sox had been missing from the corner infield spot for years.
But fast forward to now, and Casas is no longer penciled in as part of the Red Sox’s future. He’s fighting just to stay in the picture.
Injuries have been the headline since that breakout season. The most significant blow came last May, when he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee - a brutal injury for anyone, let alone a power hitter who relies on lower-body strength and stability. That setback cost him most of the season, and when he was on the field, the results weren’t pretty: a .182/.277/.303 line that raised serious questions about his long-term viability.
Casas plays first base - a position where teams expect offensive production to offset the defensive limitations. And the truth is, he’s struggled defensively.
So when the bat isn’t there, his value takes a nosedive. That’s the harsh math of major league baseball.
But it’s not just the injuries or the numbers that have put Casas in a tough spot. It’s the perception - fair or not - that he’s more focused on the show than the substance.
Last spring, he stirred up headlines by inserting himself into the middle of a tense situation involving Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman. It wasn’t his fight, but he jumped in anyway, and it didn’t sit well with many around the team.
Now, he’s back in the spotlight again - but not for the reasons he needs to be.
Casas showed up early to Red Sox spring training in Fort Myers, which should’ve been a positive sign. Full-squad workouts don’t begin until February 15, so being there on February 10 shows initiative.
But instead of making headlines for hard work or health updates, he drew attention for what he was wearing: a bright red Supreme ski mask - the balaclava kind - in 80-degree Florida heat. Yes, in the middle of a humid Florida afternoon, Casas was out there looking like he was prepping for a snowstorm in Fenway.
It was a head-scratching choice, and fans didn’t hold back. The reaction online was swift - and pointed.
Many saw it as a cry for attention at a time when Casas should be focused on proving he still belongs on the roster. One fan summed it up bluntly: “Grow up, Triston.”
That’s the core issue here. Casas is entering a pivotal spring training with a lot working against him.
The Red Sox brought in Willson Contreras, who’s expected to see time at first base. Masataka Yoshida, with a much heftier contract, is ahead of him in the DH pecking order.
And with the outfield depth chart still clogged, there’s even more competition for at-bats in the DH slot.
So where does Casas fit? Right now, the honest answer might be: he doesn’t.
The Red Sox have a few options. They could try to trade him, but his value is far from its peak.
They could stash him in Triple-A Worcester and wait for an opportunity to open up. Or they could try to carve out a role for him between first and DH, though that’s going to be a tight squeeze given the current roster construction.
The best-case scenario? Casas shows up, locks in, and mashes in spring training.
Maybe another team in need of left-handed pop takes notice, and Boston finds a trade partner willing to bet on the upside. But that requires a few things to fall into place - starting with Casas himself.
At 26, there’s still time for him to turn the narrative around. But the window is shrinking.
The Red Sox need players who produce and avoid distractions. Right now, Casas is doing neither.
Spring training is his shot to change that. Whether he takes it seriously enough - ski mask off, bat in hand - will go a long way in determining what’s next.