Article: Where Do the Red Sox Turn in the Wake of the Triston Casas Injury?

[moonslav59]

16 minutes ago, notin said:

I’ve seen the Story recommendation multiple times, and other than creating an opening for Mayer, there’s no real reason to consider it.  Consider a few random thoughts.

Not counting DH, first base is widely regarded as the easiest position to field.  It’s the only position where the overwhelming bulk of your chances are balls thrown to you (i.e the thrower is intending you catch it) as opposed to hit to you (the hitter does not).  There is a reason so many first basemen started out in other positions before settling there - they were hitters, not fielders.  Story is the opposite.  He is a talented defender, but a streaky hitter prone to prolonged slump in which he struggles to make contact.  He also possesses none of the physical traits (height, left-handedness) that make the position easier.  If it wasn’t for Mayer, no one would suggest this.

Campbell is at least taller.  And moving from 2b to 1b does create the middle infield opening for Mayer.  I could understand if the Sox didn’t want to bounce Campbell’s position around his rookie year, but Cora appears dedicated to doing so.  
 

To me, Devers makes the most sense.  Granted, he’s never played 1b, but no one made an issue of that while we were starting Romy Gonzalez there.  And Abraham Toro isn’t exactly loaded with 1b experience either.  Devers could be worked in to the position and create an opening for the easiest position to fill.  Especially since the guy that could fill it might be better utilized at DH than in the OF, where he has shown to be ineffective, and his recent shoulder surgery probably didn’t fix any of his issues.

But it’s kind of amazing how we had a surplus of 1b/DH players, and then after only one injury later, we have a shortage…

I fully agree, and while Devers at 1B does make the most sense, playing Story, Campbell, Bregman, Abreu. Duran and others at DH seems almost as ill-fitting as Story at 1B.

Ref makes sense at DH vs LHPs, and it would improve our defense by playing Anthony or Rafaela in RF vs LHPs. Rotating the others as "rest days" vs RHPs is fine. (Abreu would never DH as a rest day, since he gets his rest on the bench vs lefties.) Romy has been hitting lefties well, too, but with Devers at 1B and Ref at DH vs LHPs, he'd be the off man out- no biggie. If the plan is to rotate Campbell, Anthony, Duran, Mayer, Story and Bregman at DH that is about once a week for everyone. That could allow them to never need a day off from the line-up- just off on D. The issue with Story being too weak a hitter to play 1B also applies to DH, so maybe he gets actual days off, and it becomes a 5 man rotation vs RHPs, only. That seems manageable, doable and maybe even beneficial to all involved.

DH: Refsnyder vs LHPs/ Campbell, Mayer, Anthony, Bregman & Duran v RHPs- every 5th time

1B: Devers

2B: Campbell & Story or Mayer

SS: Story or Mayer

3B: Bregman & Mayer or Campbell

LF: Duran or Anthony

CF: Duran or Campbell (Rafaela back-up)

RF: Abreu or Anthony (Rafaela/Refsnyder back-up)

We basically have 7 players (Bregman, Campbell, Duran, Story, Mayer, Anthony and Abreu) for 6 positions plus DH vs RHPs, but we know Abreu sits vs LHPs, so it becomes a perfect 7 for 7 match (counting Abreu and Refsnyder as one.) Devers would rotate to DH, too, and who plays in his stead would be determined (Romy, Wong or a current infielder.)

[moonslav59]

15 minutes ago, vegasbob said:

There's a lot of amazing things about the Red Sox . At the current moment, however, none of those things are the players, manager, nor front office.    Oh, longing for the days of a .500 team.

I think that's being a little over dramatic, but I am guilty of doing the same, at times.

[notin]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I fully agree, and while Devers at 1B does make the most sense, playing Story, Campbell, Bregman, Abreu. Duran and others at DH seems almost as ill-fitting as Story at 1B.

Ref makes sense at DH vs LHPs, and it would improve our defense by playing Anthony or Rafaela in RF vs LHPs. Rotating the others as "rest days" vs RHPs is fine. (Abreu would never DH as a rest day, since he gets his rest on the bench vs lefties.) Romy has been hitting lefties well, too, but with Devers at 1B and Ref at DH vs LHPs, he'd be the off man out- no biggie. If the plan is to rotate Campbell, Anthony, Duran, Mayer, Story and Bregman at DH that is about once a week for everyone. That could allow them to never need a day off from the line-up- just off on D. The issue with Story being too weak a hitter to play 1B also applies to DH, so maybe he gets actual days off, and it becomes a 5 man rotation vs RHPs, only. That seems manageable, doable and maybe even beneficial to all involved.

DH: Refsnyder vs LHPs/ Campbell, Mayer, Anthony, Bregman & Duran v RHPs- every 5th time

1B: Devers

2B: Campbell & Story or Mayer

SS: Story or Mayer

3B: Bregman & Mayer or Campbell

LF: Duran or Anthony

CF: Duran or Campbell (Rafaela back-up)

RF: Abreu or Anthony (Rafaela/Refsnyder back-up)

We basically have 7 players (Bregman, Campbell, Duran, Story, Mayer, Anthony and Abreu) for 6 positions plus DH vs RHPs, but we know Abreu sits vs LHPs, so it becomes a perfect 7 for 7 match (counting Abreu and Refsnyder as one.) Devers would rotate to DH, too, and who plays in his stead would be determined (Romy, Wong or a current infielder.)

It doesn’t appear as though the Sox plan to use Casas’ injury as a reason to call up a rookie and overhaul the infield.  And they probably shouldn’t.  Campbell’s to 1b, Story to 2b looks nice on paper, until the oft-injured Story goes down again and another overhaul is necessary.

Devers to 1b, Yoshida to DH is much simpler.  And doesn’t rely on (non-40 Man) rookies to save the offense.  Especially since those rookies will be needed later as other injuries set in…

[moonslav59]

48 minutes ago, notin said:

It doesn’t appear as though the Sox plan to use Casas’ injury as a reason to call up a rookie and overhaul the infield.  And they probably shouldn’t.  Campbell’s to 1b, Story to 2b looks nice on paper, until the oft-injured Story goes down again and another overhaul is necessary.

Devers to 1b, Yoshida to DH is much simpler.  And doesn’t rely on (non-40 Man) rookies to save the offense.  Especially since those rookies will be needed later as other injuries set in…

Simple is often the right thing to do, but to me, Anthony and Mayer offer much more upside than Yoshida. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Yoshida is a .285 career MLB hitter. If he joins and hits like usual, the Red Sox are instantly better than with Casas and his .182 season sample size.

Devers could play some first base, but he doesn't have to every game. He can still DH a little, to give his body a break from scoops and holding runners on (and his mind a break, to focus on remembering he's the cutoff on hits or fly balls to CF and RF with runners in scoring position).

Romy can still play 1B vs. a lefty.

[notin]

59 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Simple is often the right thing to do, but to me, Anthony and Mayer offer much more upside than Yoshida. 

1.  That works both ways.  Especially if our top prospects start off like Jackson Holliday and/or Roman Anthony’s former high school teammate Coby Mayo.

2. Yoshida, if actually healthy, probably has more upside than you realize.  He was the best hitter on the Sox vs RHP last year and was doing quite well before being derailed by his shoulder injury.

3. Yoshida is already here.  Anthony or Mayer would require DFAing someone, which, regardless of how expendable they appear today, might still be important as more injuries kick in…

[notin]

20 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Yoshida is a .285 career MLB hitter. If he joins and hits like usual, the Red Sox are instantly better than with Casas and his .182 season sample size.

Devers could play some first base, but he doesn't have to every game. He can still DH a little, to give his body a break from scoops and holding runners on (and his mind a break, to focus on remembering he's the cutoff on hits or fly balls to CF and RF with runners in scoring position).

Romy can still play 1B vs. a lefty.

And as dumb as I think the Sox are for not deploying this extremely obvious solution, it is possible Devers is trying on the oversized fingerless mitt and taking grounders at first daily, hoping to learn to scoop while he stretches, and Abraham Toro is counting the days until Yoshida is activated…

[moonslav59]

We could call up Anthony and still use Yoshida at DH.

1. Duran CF

2. Campbell 2B

3. Devers 1B/DH

4. Bregman 3B

5. Anthony LF

6. Abreu-Refsnyder RF

7. Story SS

8. Yoshida DH/Romy 1B

9. Narvaez/Wong C

Bench: Rafaela, a catcher & platoon

[moonslav59]

25 minutes ago, notin said:

1.  That works both ways.  Especially they start off like Jackson Holliday or Roman Anthony’s former high school teammate Coby Mayo.

2. Yoshida, if actually healthy, probably has more upside than you realize.  He was the best hitter on the Sox vs RHP last year and was doing quite well before being derailed by his shoulder injury.

3. Yoshida is already here.  Anthony or Mayer would require DFAing someone, which, regardless of how expendable they appear today, might still be important as more injuries kick in…

1. They will have to start, sometime- slow or fast start.

2. I am not a Yoshida hater. I think he can hit .800, when healthy. He's not healthy and isn't even playing real games.

3. DFA'ing Toro is simple. He may not een get claimed. Better than that, just add Casas to the 60. There are others that can be added to the 60 retroactively, including Yoshida, Fitts or Crawford. #3 is a non issue.

[Nick]

https://www.overthemonster.com/2025/5/7/24425538/of-course-rafael-devers-can-play-first-base-for-the-red-sox

 

Of course Rafael Devers can play first base (overthemonster)

Good read, it's pretty funny I think.

 

[notin]

17 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

We could call up Anthony and still use Yoshida at DH.

1. Duran CF

2. Campbell 2B

3. Devers 1B/DH

4. Bregman 3B

5. Anthony LF

6. Abreu-Refsnyder RF

7. Story SS

8. Yoshida DH/Romy 1B

9. Narvaez/Wong C

Bench: Rafaela, a catcher & platoon

Benching Rafaela in favor of Anthony is a solution that’s been there all along, but it does nothing for 1b.  
 

Cora does seem dedicated to Rafaela in CF.  At least for now…

[vegasbob]

53 minutes ago, notin said:

And as dumb as I think the Sox are for not deploying this extremely obvious solution, it is possible Devers is trying on the oversized fingerless mitt and taking grounders at first daily, hoping to learn to scoop while he stretches, and Abraham Toro is counting the days until Yoshida is activated…

Soon as I read STRETCH , I pictured Devers with hamstring problems . He has tight thighs .

[notin]

17 minutes ago, vegasbob said:

Soon as I read STRETCH , I pictured Devers with hamstring problems . He has tight thighs .

Stop touching his thighs!!!  Don’t b you know how tight they are?

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

1 hour ago, vegasbob said:

 He has tight thighs .

I don't even want to know how you know that! 😁

[harmony]

Alex Cora addresses the Rafael Devers situation on WEEI:

 

[vegasbob]

12 minutes ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

I don't even want to know how you know that! 😁

I see his butt and thighs walking to 1B

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

4 minutes ago, harmony said:

Alex Cora addresses the Rafael Devers situation on WEEI:

 

Sounds like they're afraid of pissing devers off again.

[vegasbob]

5 minutes ago, harmony said:

Alex Cora addresses the Rafael Devers situation on WEEI:

 

So Alex, there's a chance, maybe 1 in a 1000 but there's a chance.   AC also confirms that this actually Devers choice .  This continues to shine a light on Devers as a  prima donna.   Cora is a wimp .

Alex is right that you don't throw Raffy out there overnight with no prep, but that is your fault for not making him prep  towards  the obvious  move.

My conclusion is that Devers is no team player , so fuk'em, and Cora is a hypocrite for his claim that players should be versatile and be able to adapt.    These guys  are trouble .

[Kimmi]

23 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I think we all had hopes Casas was going to come back around and hit over .800. I can't see expecting any current 1Bman in our system having hopes that high.

No doubt.  And even though Casas wasn't hitting, the lineup in yesterday's game felt so much weaker than the one with Casas in it.  We need some left-handed hitting.  Hurry back Yoshida, and put Devers at 1B.

[Kimmi]

21 hours ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Devers could easily play 1st. It isn't like he's replacing a gold glove 1st baseman. Unfortunately, instead of having a real manager the Sox have Daddy Day Care Cora.

I have to say that I'm a Cora fan.  That said, I really don't understand the decision not to put Devers at 1B.  I don't know if the decision has been made, and I don't know if Cora is the one making the decision, but if that decision is made, it is a questionable decision for sure.

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, notin said:

Benching Rafaela in favor of Anthony is a solution that’s been there all along, but it does nothing for 1b.  
 

Of course. I was just addressing your Yoshida point.

The Mayer call-up and Devers staying at DH would be the call-up to doom Yoshida- not an Anthony promotion.

I'd think of doing both. Yoshida is not even ready, yet.

[Maxbialystock]

The injury to Casas has been overblown.  He had a negative WAR for the season because he's neither a good fielder nor a good hitter (I know he was terrific before the injury).    So literally anyone would be an improvement over Casas.  Well, probably not Dalbec.  

Back in March I was sure 1B was right for for Devers, but now I think he was made for DH the same way Ortiz was, especially now that both Leagues use the DH.  Devers' value is his hitting, period.  Wherever he fields, he will be a liability and at greater risk of injury.  

I would love to use the absence of Casas and the poor hitting by Rafaela as an excuse to bring up both Mayer and Anthony.  Mayer goes to SS and Story goes to 2b or 1b.  Rafaela becomes a supersub, Duran goes back to CF, and Anthony to LF.  

All that said, the real problem with this team is the pitching, especially the bullpen.  

[Duran Is The Man]

9 hours ago, vegasbob said:

So Alex, there's a chance, maybe 1 in a 1000 but there's a chance.   AC also confirms that this actually Devers choice .  This continues to shine a light on Devers as a  prima donna.   Cora is a wimp .

Alex is right that you don't throw Raffy out there overnight with no prep, but that is your fault for not making him prep  towards  the obvious  move.

My conclusion is that Devers is no team player , so fuk'em, and Cora is a hypocrite for his claim that players should be versatile and be able to adapt.    These guys  are trouble .

Rafael Diva

[Hugh2]

I'm fine with Toro on the roster right now, but it's going to be disappointing if he's still playing 1B when we are at mid season. 

I'm fine with him there now because this is what he was here for.  He's a Band-Aid, right now they should be trying to figure out who is going to play 1b for them a month from now.  

Devers just makes way too much sense. 

[Bellhorn04]

Damn, we've gone from one Devers controversy to another.

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

Anthony Rizzo makes unexpected Red Sox return after years away: Report | MLB News - The Times of India

Nobody else is reporting this so it may not be true.

[notin]

17 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Of course. I was just addressing your Yoshida point.

The Mayer call-up and Devers staying at DH would be the call-up to doom Yoshida- not an Anthony promotion.

I'd think of doing both. Yoshida is not even ready, yet.

Reportedly Yoshida isn’t ready to field, specifically throw.  But he’s ok to hit…

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

Trevor Story Position Change First Domino Necessary for Red Sox to Call Up Top Prospect

[TedYazPapiMookie]

In 14 years since Boston discovered Devers in the Dominican Republic he has NEVER been able to field above a .950 fielding percentage yet it was often reported how he was improving.  He's someone who simply can't field at a MLB level.  1B, 3B, OF it doesn't really matter.  He's now locked in and has stopped pouting so why not just let him thrive at DH and think of himself as the second coming of Papi?  He's nowhere near as good a hitter but I think he thinks he is.  Keep him happy, productive and without a glove on!!  I would offer TB Wilyer Abreu for Yandy Diaz and call up Roman Anthony.

[Maxbialystock]

On 5/7/2025 at 11:51 AM, notin said:

It doesn’t appear as though the Sox plan to use Casas’ injury as a reason to call up a rookie and overhaul the infield.  And they probably shouldn’t.  Campbell’s to 1b, Story to 2b looks nice on paper, until the oft-injured Story goes down again and another overhaul is necessary.

Devers to 1b, Yoshida to DH is much simpler.  And doesn’t rely on (non-40 Man) rookies to save the offense.  Especially since those rookies will be needed later as other injuries set in…

Why Yoshida?  He is nowhere near the hitter Devers is, and DH is all about hitting.  I think Devers, who badly wanted to stay at 3b, has found a good niche at DH.  Moving him to 1b is stupid when Gonzalez is already playing 1b with an OPS 200 points higher than Casas's this season and 10 points higher than Yoshida's .775.

Devers ain't the problem, not by a longshot.  Yoshida is the problem.  Replacing Casas couldn't be easier, but all this bs going on is because it's so hard to find a spot for our $105M nonfielder.