The Boston Red Sox finally made a move for the first time since the start of the month earlier this week. They have acquired All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals for RHP Hunter Dobbins, top 30 prospect RHP Yoiker Fajardo, and RHP Blake Aita (who was pitching in High-A Greenville in 2025).
As for Contreras, he hit 20 home runs last year, driving in 80 RBIs for the Cardinals, and has proven capable at first base after transitioning from catcher full-time last season. With an All-Star 1B in the mix, now the question that everybody is asking is this: Where will Triston Casas be in 2026? Will he be traded? Will he stay and play as the designated hitter? Will he start next season in the minors?
Willson Contreras Trade Leaves Triston Casas with Uncertain Future
Casas, just 25 years old, has battled a pair of significant injuries over the past two seasons. Most notably, a ruptured patellar tendon ended his 2025 campaign very early. Boston's front office emphasized last offseason that they were open to exploring options at first while Casas recovers and ultimately earns his role. After missing out on Pete Alonso in free agency, they went for Plan B.
The most likely scenarios for Casas in 2026 would be four-fold.
1. Stay and compete for a roster spot
2. Become Boston's primary DH
3. Extended minor-league rehab start
4. Traded to another team
As for staying and competing, Casas still has three years of control remaining. Boston may keep him in the organization as a tradeable or bounce-back asset. With Contreras now manning first, Casas could start on the bench with only hitting against, ironically, left-handed pitchers. Throughout his career, he's excelled at hitting lefty-lefty, and giving him confidence with that in a situational platoon role would give him that mojo he needs.
If he becomes Boston's primary DH, he'll be what Rafael Devers was hoped to be: A team player. With Casas, there shouldn't be a problem with moving him off first base, especially with the fact that he was reportedly happy with the addition of Contreras, per MassLive's Chris Cotillo. If Contreras holds up at first base for the bulk of the season, Boston could transition Casas towards a full-time DH role. While struggling to stay healthy, his left-handed power cannot be denied as a serious asset. This path allows Boston to add more offense while keeping Casas' bat in the lineup.
As for extending his minor-league rehab, it's a cautious approach that might reassure everyone about Casas' durability. It works out due to him still having several minor-league options. If the Red Sox go this route and exercise one of his options to Triple-A Worcester, he will start in the minors, start mashing, and then become fully game-ready and merit big-league starts.
However, it cannot be denied either that with the acquisition of Contreras, Casas has now become more expendable, but also an intriguing trade asset. Some peg him as a potential trade target for clubs like the Washington Nationals, who have a pressing need at first base. They may just value him and his underlying power profile despite his recent injuries.
The Contreras trade clearly shifts the first-base landscape in Boston. While Casas remains a valuable, cost-controlled piece with future upside, he's no longer the resumptive starting first baseman. The Red Sox organization now has even more flexibility. They can let him prove he still belongs in their long-term plans, redefine his role as a DH, or just move him to another team for additional pitching help.
In my whole-hearted opinion, he will be traded before Spring Training. In this case, the Red Sox just gave him his getaway car. But where is his destination?