3 stars Red Sox can acquire by trading Triston Casas
By Mark Powell
The Boston Red Sox could use Triston Casas, arguably their best young player, to acquire star-level talent this offseason. As great as Casas may one day be, Sox fans are hungry for momentum amidst a brutal winter.
Boston let Eric Hosmer walk this offseason, leading many to believe that Casas had a legitimate chance to be the Opening Day starter at first base.
Yet, Casas has been mentioned in trade talks — though not by the Red Sox themselves. In conversations with the Miami Marlins, Casas name was brought to the forefront as Chaim Bloom is reportedly in on pitcher Pablo Lopez.
Any trade for Lopez could include the likes of Casas, if the Sox are willing to budge there.
Related Story. What a Triston Casas trade would look like. light
Bloom has been reluctant to trade Casas in the past, as Boston does have a strong farm system as is and dealing one of their best young talents would deplete it of talent. But if the Sox are to make up for losing the likes of Xander Bogaerts and more, acquiring some star power might be a good first step.
Red Sox rumors: Trade for Pablo Lopez
Pablo Lopez can be a top-tier rotation arm at his best, and he’s proven himself in Miami. Playing at Fenway Park would bring with it more pressure, but pitching has been at a premium this Winter. FanSided’s Cody Williams discussed a potential trade that would bring both Lopez and Joey Wendle to the Red Sox in exchange for Casas as well as a couple of top-35 prospects in Boston’s system.
Wendle is coming off a down season, but can play first and third base, so he’d serve as a replacement for Casas. Lopez is a No. 2 in the Sox rotation, if not the ace given what they’ve lost this offseason. Williams explained his consideration to package Wendle and Lopez:
"“As such, with the Red Sox getting a stud like Lopez and a quality utility infielder like Wendle, Boston would send one of the best young talents in Casas along with two Top 35 prospects in Zack Kelly and Christian Koss, both of whom are in their mid-20s but also are buried in the organization because of their position right now.”"
Dealing a prospect like Casas is never fun, but acquiring both Wendle and Lopez would be tough to turn down for Bloom, especially considering they’re cost-effective assets.