Red Sox could make shocking move with $140M slugger after Triston Casas injury
Context:
The Boston Red Sox face a dilemma following Triston Casas' season-ending injury, as they look to fill the void at first base. Trevor Story, under a $140 million contract, could potentially be moved to first base, though he has never played the position before. This move could address both the first base vacancy and allow top prospect Marcelo Mayer to debut, despite Story's struggles with injuries and lackluster offensive performance. ESPN's Buster Olney and Eduardo Perez have discussed the complexities of convincing Story to transition from his usual shortstop position. The move, while risky, might boost the team's offense and solve multiple roster issues simultaneously.
Dive Deeper:
Triston Casas' injury has left the Boston Red Sox with a significant gap at first base, prompting consideration of possible internal solutions.
Trevor Story, who signed a substantial $140 million contract, has faced multiple injuries and currently blocks prospect Marcelo Mayer from making his major league debut.
Analysts, including ESPN's Buster Olney, suggest moving Story to first base could address two issues: enhancing the team's offense and allowing Mayer to enter the major leagues.
The transition for Story is complicated by his career-long experience as a shortstop and the difficulty in convincing him to switch positions at this stage.
Despite Story's subpar offensive statistics over the past three seasons, his performance has been better than Casas', making the position change potentially beneficial.
The move involves risk, especially since Story has no experience playing first base, but it could significantly strengthen the team's lineup.
Marcelo Mayer's strong performance in Triple-A, with an .833 OPS and seven home runs, supports the idea of promoting him if Story transitions to first base.
The Boston Red Sox have lost Triston Casas for the year to a left patellar tendon rupture. The Red Sox have a hole at first base now and could look to fill it internally.
Trevor Story has dealt with injuries since signing his $140 million deal with the Red Sox. He is also blocking the team's No. 3 prospect Marcelo Mayer from making his debut. However, ESPN's Buster Olney suggested that the Red Sox could consider moving Story to first base.
"This was raised by ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez on the 'Baseball Tonight' podcast," wrote Olney. "But as difficult as it was to ask Devers to move off third base, it might be even more complicated getting Story to buy into the idea of moving to first. He's under contract for two more seasons after this year at $25 million annually, and he's been a shortstop for almost all of his 10-year career.
"Additionally: If the Red Sox are going to affect a major change, they'll do it to enhance their offense -- and Story hasn't been a big run-producer. Over 105 games in the past three seasons, he's slashing .233/.287/.354."
Even though Story is not putting up great numbers, he is still playing better than Casas was. Moving him to first base would upgrade their offense there while also giving Mayer a chance to make his debut. He has an .833 OPS with seven home runs in Triple-A.
Story has never played first base, however. The move would be risky, but it would solve two problems for the team. Getting Mayer in the big leagues may be worth dealing with Story struggling defensively at first base.
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