Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas is considered the most important player in the team and the entire organization as he enters 2024. The 2018 first-round pick showed star potential in 2023, his first full season with the team, batting .263 with a .490 slugging percentage, 24 home runs, and 70 RBIs. Red Sox Red Sox fans may be concerned about the team's ability to retain the 24-year-old Casas, but it's not too early to consider extending his contract in today’s baseball environment. There were discussions about a long-term contract in the offseason, but nothing materialized. Casas has not yet reached arbitration, and won’t until 2026, but the Red Sox could potentially save money by securing him now. Tim Britton of The Athletic has projected a seven-year, $77 million extension between the Sox and Casas.
Red Sox Made Extension Offer Over the Winter MLB The Red Sox made an offer over the winter, but it was turned down by Casas and his agents. Casas mentioned this week that he has not received any further offers from the team.
Casas said, according to WEEI.com, “I haven’t really even received any more offers so nothing to report up to right now. There’s not any news.”
Casas was third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting behind winner Gunnar Henderson and No. 2 on the list, the ' Tanner Bibee. He is projected to be the team’s cleanup hitter in 2024, but has struggled in Spring Training, batting .220 with two home runs. Casas has set high goals for the year, hoping to play every game, make the playoffs, and achieve a .300/.400/.500 slash line.
Triston Casas’ Focus on Becoming ‘A Better Player’
An extension is likely not a priority for Casas at this point. If he performs well, he will have a strong position in arbitration. Signing a young star to an extension is challenging for a team, as the offer must surpass what the player would likely get in arbitration.
Britton’s suggestion of seven years and $77 million is a major risk for the Red Sox, as injury or underperformance could jeopardize the deal. However, it’s a greater risk for Casas if he becomes the star he envisions. According to WEEI, Casas relies on his agents and those around him to advise him: “Whatever they advise me of is what I will believe in. If they think I can do better as a player— because that is ultimately what it comes down to. If they don’t think I’m getting the money I deserve it comes down to how do I become a better player.He doesn't just want more money or dollars. He knows he needs to improve as a player, put up better numbers, and have a stronger season to be valued more. He doesn't have anything against the team or ownership.
His team believes he can improve from his past performance and wants to see if he can do that. Orioles Triston Casas, a young player for the Red Sox, might get a long-term deal if the team agrees to his price, despite being in only his second season. Guardians’ Tanner Bibee. He is projected to be the team’s cleanup hitter in 2024, but has struggled some in Spring Training, batting .220 with two home runs.
Casas enters the year with big-time goals, as he explained to the Boston Globe this week.
“Well, my goal this year is to play every game, make the playoffs, and have a .300/.400/.500 slash line,” he said. “Those three things right there jump off the page.
“I feel like if I’m playing and we’re winning and I’m hitting, well, life is good. So I always want to set positive goals, achievable ones, attainable ones that I feel like are realistic. But at the same time, make it something to shoot for.”
Triston Casas’ Focus on Becoming ‘A Better Player’
But getting an extension is probably not high on the list for Casas at this point. That’s because, if he plays well enough in the interim, he will hit arbitration in a strong position. Part of the challenge for any team signing a budding young star to an extension is that the team must offer something more than what the player is likely to get in arbitration.
Britton’s suggestion of seven years and $77 million is a big risk for the Red Sox, because injury or underperformance could torpedo the whole deal. But it’s a bigger risk for Casas if he winds up becoming the star he thinks he can be.
As he explained to WEEI, he puts his trust in his agents and those around him first: “Whatever they advise me of is what I will believe in. If they think I can do better as a player— because that is ultimately what it comes down to. If they don’t think I’m getting the money I deserve it comes down to how do I become a better player.
“It’s not about how do I get more money or how do I get more dollars. We have to become a better player so I have to put together better numbers and I have to have a better season this year if I’m going to get the value they think I’m worth. It’s nothing against the team or it’s nothing against ownership.
“It’s just my team believing I can do better than what I have done up until now and seeing if I can do exactly that.”
