The Boston Red Sox are facing a growing dilemma at first base following the devastating news that Triston Casas will miss the entire 2025 season due to a ruptured tendon in his knee. The injury leaves a major hole at one of the corner infield spots — and Boston is still searching for answers.
In the meantime, the club has experimented with Romy Gonzalez at first, but his stint on the Injured List forced the Red Sox to turn to Nick Sogard as a stopgap option. While Sogard has filled in admirably, it’s clear that if Boston hopes to remain competitive in the highly-contested American League East, a more reliable long-term solution is needed at the position.
Complicating matters further, Rafael Devers has reportedly expressed discomfort with the idea of switching positions, making an internal move to first base unlikely.
As speculation swirls, one trade prediction has Boston making a bold move: acquiring All-Star first baseman Yandy Díaz from the Tampa Bay Rays. In this proposed deal, the Red Sox would part ways with two promising young talents — outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia and starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins — to land the Rays’ slugger.
Díaz, an All-Star in 2023, is under contract through the 2025 season, with a team option for 2026. Known for his ability to hit for average and drive in runs, the right-handed bat would bring much-needed consistency and power to the Red Sox lineup — exactly what they’re lacking in Casas’ absence.
While parting with top prospects is never easy, Díaz’s proven track record may justify the price. Dobbins, 25, has impressed early in 2025 with a 2.78 ERA across 22.1 innings in four starts. His performance suggests he could play a significant role in Boston’s future, but the urgency to fix first base might outweigh the risk of losing him.
As for Garcia, the 21-year-old outfielder is one of the more intriguing young names in the system, offering power and speed but still a few years away from the majors.
The pressure is mounting in Boston, and with the trade market beginning to heat up, a high-impact move like this could signal the Red Sox are serious about contending — even if it comes at a steep cost.