By Jon Vankin
Contributing Sports Writer
The Boston Red Sox's 24-year-old first baseman Triston Casas has been one of the most polarizing players among Red Sox fans at least since David Price joined the team in 2016. But Price was generally perceived, rightly or wrongly, as an ill-tempered diva who came to Boston only for the then-record $217 million, seven-year contract dangled in front of him by Dave Dombrowski, who was in charge of the organization's baseball operations at the time.
Fans' strong opinions on Casas come mainly from the Plantation, Fla., native's quirky personality. He wears nail polish. He meditates shirtless and barefoot on the Fenway Park grass before games. His pregame meal is often a 24-ounce ribeye steak which he eats with a plastic knife and fork. Casas is what ballplayers back in the 1950s, '60s and '70s called a "flake."
As a result, a sizable portion of the Red Sox fan base openly called for Casas to be traded this offseason, despite his 40-home-run potential touted by the Red Sox's current baseball chief, Craig Breslow.
Now, according to a report by Boston.com, "Casas's time in Boston won't be coming to an end anytime soon, despite rumors of the young slugger being on the trade block." As a trade piece, Casas now appears to be off the table.
On Monday, the Red Sox reportedly reached an agreement with free agent pitcher Walker Buehler, the former Dodgers hurler who closed out the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees. According to Boston.com reporter Colin McCarthy, with the addition of Buehler following the Red Sox earlier trade for Chicago White Sox lefty ace Garrett Crochet, Boston's 2025 starting rotation now appears complete. That makes trading Casas unnecessary.
"Casas has had a tumultuous last few weeks in the news cycle, between trade rumors and fans floating ideas about shifting star slugger Rafael Devers to first base," wrote McCarthy. "However, as it stands Casas remains in control of his spot at first base for Boston heading into spring training."
More MLB: Former All-Star 'Can Get Revenge' on Mets By Signing With Hated NL Rival
English (US) ·