This injury-riddled Red Sox slugger could be the Padres' smartest trade gamble yet

The San Diego Padres always seem to be in the hunt for a blockbuster deal. But it does not need to be constantly be this way. Sometimes, what makes or breaks a team is how they can improve without spending the big bucks on every single hitter.

One major question mark looming over the Friars this winter is what they will do at first base. Will Luis Arraez remain in San Diego? Will the Padres move Jake Cronenworth over to man first base? Will they go after an international star? There still is no clear answer yet, but one interesting option the Padres can pursue is Red Sox slugger Triston Casas.

The 25-year-old has been hit with a string of tough injuries over the last few seasons, and it seems like his relationship with Boston is already soured. When you mix that in with the Red Sox being linked to some of the bigger first basemen on the market like Pete Alonso, then it spells trouble for Casas' playing time.

If the Padres want to go with a cheap risk to clean up some of the questions surrounding first base, then trading for someone like Casas would be an intriguing avenue to travel down.

Would the Padres consider trading for Red Sox's Triston Casas?

With shoulder problems in 2023, a rib injury in 2024, and a left patellar tendon rupture this past season, Casas hasn't necessarily made himself to be known as a desirable trade candidate. But, if the Red Sox sign someone like Alonso, then Casas' trade value goes down, which means he wouldn't cost the Padres much. All of a sudden, he becomes a more desirable hitter to trade for.

Let's not forget that Casas can straight-up mash when he is healthy. In 2023, his only full season in the majors, he plunked 23 home runs. In just 63 games in 2024, he muscled 13. For his career, Casas owns an .800 OPS and 118 OPS+.

One other redeeming quality for the left-handed slugger is that he can hit southpaws just as well as he hits righties. For his career, he hovers just over a .240 average against both types of pitchers, and has an .814 OPS against lefties. There's plenty of positives here surrounding Casas. He just needs to be healthy, which could be asking for a lot.

Casas might need a new home. Boston seems to be all in on going for a headline signing at first base, which soils his opportunity to play the position. If the Padres want to spend more money elsewhere, like on a starting pitcher, then taking a flyer on Casas could be more beneficial than you think.