One of the biggest needs for the Pirates this offseason is first base, and recent rumors suggest a young slugger from Boston is available through trades. That young slugger is Triston Casas, and his name is on the market due to the possibility of Boston moving Rafael Devers to first base.
What the Red Sox want in return is pitching, as their staff in 2024 ranked within the bottom 15, and their incredible farm system is bereft of upper-level pitching talent. One team that jumps out as a suitor is the Seattle Mariners, as they are looking for a bat and already have one of the best rotations in Major League Baseball (and don’t feel like paying them all).
If the Mariners were to be involved, a deal could involve Bryan Woo or Bryce Miller. If that is the current price of Casas, the Pirates should attempt to outbid Seattle. Let’s examine why the Pirates should do whatever they can to acquire Casas if he is on the trade block.
Pirates must block Seattle from Tristan Casas and attempt to acquire him from Boston Red Sox
Last season, Casas dealt with injuries and only appeared in 63 games. In that small sample size, he batted .241 with 13 home runs, driving in 32. His OPS sat at .800, along with a wRC+ of 119 and an impressive walk rate of 12.3%. 2023 was even better in a near-full season’s worth of work. His wRC+ was at 130 with 24 home runs and an OPS of .856.
Defensively, Casas is a bit of a liability, as he posted -10 outs above average and -4 defensive runs saved in 2023. Those totals came in negative as well in 2024, but in far fewer innings.
In order to outbid a possible Seattle offer, the Pirates should start off strong with a package of Luis Ortiz and Braxton Ashcraft. Ortiz dominated in his MLB duty in 2024, which would strongly boost Boston’s rotation, while Ashcraft is very close to contributing in the big leagues, but might thrive in a long relief role.
Ortiz posted an earned run average (ERA) of 3.32 across 135.2 innings and had a WHIP of 1.11 last season. Opposing hitters had a batting average of .216 against him and his FIP sat at 4.25. Ashcraft, an MLB top 100 prospect, delivered an ERA of 2.84 across two levels with a WHIP of 1.07, striking out 77 batters.
This is a very possible package the Pirates could send for a young slugger in Casas. Pittsburgh needs to fill a void at first base, and this trade using their deep well of pitching would fill that without breaking the bank.
The two sides hooked up for a Nick Yorke-Quinn Priester deal last summer, and are quite familiar with one another. Why not try again?
