The San Diego Padres haven’t made any significant trades or free agent signings, and at this point we’re less that a week away from the start of the winter GM meetings. The Padres still have the fan base stuck in the Preller watch, as GM A.J. Preller remains unextended beyond next season, and it’s starting to look more and more like Preller will at least go into the meetings with a lame-duck GM.
There are small moves to be made regardless, and some of the potential players who could be targeted would make excellent additions to the Padres lineup. One is Red Sox first baseman Tristan Casas, whose career to date has been marred by injuries, but when Casas is healthy he’s shown he can be an offensive force.
The numbers tell the story, as reported by PJ Potter of FriarsOnBase.com. Back in 2023, he hit 23 home runs, and in 2024 Casas hit 13 in just 63 games. His career OPS is .800, so he’s shown the ability to be a productive hitter when he’s healthy.
Casas’ health is one major issue. He hurt his rib cage swinging back in 2023, and the injury lingered for longer than expected. Last season he ruptured his patella tendon while trying to beat out an infield hit, and that was the end of his 2024 season.
The Boston first baseman’s makeup is another potential issue. Casas is a free spirit, to say the least. He’s been spotted sunning himself and painting his toenails in the outfield before games, and he’s a smart, media-friendly player who likes to showcase his unique approach and knowledge of the game.
This didn’t go over well at all with Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who has a reputation as a stickler for details. Casas basically made up his own footwork routine at first base when he was fielding poorly, and that didn’t sit well with Cora, who did a reset in Casas’ routine, after which his fielding suddenly improved.
So what would it take to get Casas in a trade? In theory, not much. The Red Sox have already said they’re not going to rely on Casas at first base this season, and the rumor mill has them leading the pack to sign free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso.
The Red Sox would likely be looking for prospects or low-level pitchers, and that’s the fly in the ointment. Preller has stripped the Padres farm system bare to some extent, but the Red Sox might be willing to take a flyer on one of the Padres potential innings eaters at the back of the rotation, assuming the money details can be worked out. It’s something to watch as the Preller watch continues, especially given the Padres need for low-cost power bats.