Much like Newman, the Sox are not “Ready to deliver”– The 2025 Offseason News (& rumors?) Thread

BigSoxFan

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Sorry, I’m not super familiar with how the luxury tax works. Even though Sandoval is getting paid $5M this year and $13M next year, it still counts as $9M for both years against the threshold?
Yup, they straight line it for luxury tax purposes. That way teams can’t manipulate the numbers (ie., heavily back loading) to fit in a bunch of contracts.
 

Jack Rabbit Slim

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Unless Minnesota's owner went bankrupt and I missed it, or their GM wants to get fired, there is no way they'd take Crawford and Bernardino or anything approximating that for Lopez, with our without Vazquez $10m off their books. You'd need to at minimum be adding one of Casas, Abreu or Mayer for them to not disconnect the Zoom session immediately.
I mean, as far as their budget for next year they basically are. They are already a little over the stated budget without having added anything and Lopez jumps from $8.25M to $21.75M. For the Twins, it's more like Lopez+Vazquez for Crawford+Bernadino+$28M to spend. Pablo Lopez at 3 yrs/$21.75M per is a good contract, but it is not like he is in his arb years.
 

SouthernBoSox

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If this goes through, then Houston is for sure out on Bregman, with Paredes at 3B and Walker at 1B. Market shrinking could be good for Sox.
This actually is one of the more reasonable signing I’ve seen the last 2 offseason. Walker is a hell of an all around player.
 

chawson

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Unless Minnesota's owner went bankrupt and I missed it, or their GM wants to get fired, there is no way they'd take Crawford and Bernardino or anything approximating that for Lopez, with our without Vazquez $10m off their books. You'd need to at minimum be adding one of Casas, Abreu or Mayer for them to not disconnect the Zoom session immediately.
The Twins have publicly stated that they want to keep payroll at $130 million. That's about where it was last year, but with expected arb increases it'd be higher in 2025. I'd be surprised if Lopez or Correa go but those are obviously the biggest expenses (along with Buxton).

Casas and Crawford for Lopez and Vasquez, while maybe not the complete trade, does seem like a basic framework that could work. Observationally I think our FO and the Twins' prioritize a lot of the same traits (and poaching Justin Willard backs that up a bit) and they may be into Crawford, who is very cheap. Casas could step in as their 1B after ex-prospect Alex Kirilloff suddenly retired after four years of injuries.
 

Big Papi's Mango Salsa

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Sorry, I’m not super familiar with how the luxury tax works. Even though Sandoval is getting paid $5M this year and $13M next year, it still counts as $9M for both years against the threshold?
No worries, the MLB luxury tax system is really tough to figure out. At least this one is straight forward.

The Twins have publicly stated that they want to keep payroll at $130 million. That's about where it was last year, but with expected arb increases it'd be higher in 2025. I'd be surprised if Lopez or Correa go but those are obviously the biggest expenses (along with Buxton).

Casas and Crawford for Lopez and Vasquez, while maybe not the complete trade, does seem like a basic framework that could work. Observationally I think our FO and the Twins' prioritize a lot of the same traits (and poaching Justin Willard backs that up a bit) and they may be into Crawford, who is very cheap. Casas could step in as their 1B after ex-prospect Alex Kirilloff suddenly retired after four years of injuries.
I'd heard that part (the $130m), but I think things would have to be a lot more dire to move Lopez for so little. FWIW, I agree that Casas (or Abreu or Mayer) and and Crawford for Lopez and Vasquez is a reasonable offer / framework. Bernardino and Crawford however would be easily beat by any number of teams. We disagree on if the Sox will spend above LTT1 (real world example), but we agree that Casas + Crawford is a reasonable framework (theoretical discussion), if that makes sense.
 

Big Papi's Mango Salsa

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I can see Grichuk or Mark Canha as a bat they add near the end of the off-season.

Platoon bats should get deals in the 1/$10m-$13m range depending on how good they are, they might get an option. (They should not get 3yr / $50m contracts.) I'd see him as an option if they elect to go for something like bringing back Chris Martin instead of getting Kirby Yates or David Robertson.

Spending the ~$20m they have left (assuming a Crochet extension) I think a question of "David Robertson a 1/$15m" and Romy Gonzalez vs "Chris Martin at 1/$9 and Grichuk at 1/$9m" is an interesting one. I think I'd probably go for option A since the bench will already have an excellent defender (Rafaela) and a very good short side bat that can't play D in Refsnyder, and Gonzalez can at least cover more positions. However, if that were Canha instead I might go option B since he could cover 1b more adequately than Romy, and because Gonzalez has options remaining.

It'd be an interesting debate / thought exercise though.
 

moondog80

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Spending the ~$20m they have left (assuming a Crochet extension) I think a question of "David Robertson a 1/$15m" and Romy Gonzalez vs "Chris Martin at 1/$9 and Grichuk at 1/$9m" is an interesting one. I think I'd probably go for option A since the bench will already have an excellent defender (Rafaela) and a very good short side bat that can't play D in Refsnyder, and Gonzalez can at least cover more positions. However, if that were Canha instead I might go option B since he could cover 1b more adequately than Romy, and because Gonzalez has options remaining.
Unless they are lying about being on on Burnes/Bregman or even Tesocar/Buehler, they are at least contemplating spending over the first threshold (i.e., they have more than 20 mil left).

Or maybe they won't extend Crochet?
 

jmanny24

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Unless they are lying about being on on Burnes/Bregman or even Tesocar/Buehler, they are at least contemplating spending over the first threshold (i.e., they have more than 20 mil left).

Or maybe they won't extend Crochet?
Am I misremembering or couldn't they announce an extension after opening day so it goes towards the 2026 luxury tax?
 

picniclightning

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DH Platoon?

'24 Yoshida vs. RH pitchers

AB: 284
AVG: .310
OBP: .374
SLG: .458
OPS: .832

'24 Grichuk vs. LHP

AB: 163
AVG: .318
OBP: .386
SLG: .528
OPS: .913
 

simplicio

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I'm of the opinion that there isn't convincing evidence a healthy Yoshida actually needs a platoon partner. He didn't have major splits his last two NPB years, was slightly above average vs LHP in 2023 and hit them fine this summer in the space between the thumb and shoulder injuries.

Not like he's amazing against them, but I think he can hold his own far better than his season split shows.
 

SouthernBoSox

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They changed the rules on that years ago. Holding off until Opening Day does not necessarily put off the luxury tax implications.
What was the clause with Devers that allowed his first year AAV to be lower after he signed his extension? If I recall correctly it remained at $15 AAV that first year despite the extension.
 

Rich Garces Belly

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I want to push back on this: why exactly do they need “veterans who have had success in the league”?

Is the idea that the team last year somehow floundered because the younger players didn’t have the benefit of magic veteran pixie dust? Does Story not count in this role?

… And definitely please explain what was lacking in Casas’s game that would be fixed by adding a veteran as a back-up caddy, but that is something that the coaching staff can’t work with him on?

I’m not against signing free agents, but getting players who will ultimately take playing time from the younger players isn’t really going to help if they’re not likely to deserve that playing time. I’m not sure a veteran who feels entitled to playing time despite declining performance is really providing the right kind of leadership.
What is lacking in Casas’s game is a lack of maturity. Last year he angered Cora and the media with his answers about his injury publicly. Additionally when I listened to Lou Merloni on the Section 10 podcast they made it clear that Casas turned off many people inside the clubhouse with his approach to the game. Having a former MVP inside the clubhouse to guide him and help improve his approach would be vital for his long term game. There is a reason a young power hitter with many years of club control is being dangled in trade offers.
 

jmanny24

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What was the clause with Devers that allowed his first year AAV to be lower after he signed his extension? If I recall correctly it remained at $15 AAV that first year despite the extension.
Maybe that's what I was thinking of, I know there was reason the Devers extension announcement was delayed
 

simplicio

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What is lacking in Casas’s game is a lack of maturity. Last year he angered Cora and the media with his answers about his injury publicly. Additionally when I listened to Lou Merloni on the Section 10 podcast they made it clear that Casas turned off many people inside the clubhouse with his approach to the game. Having a former MVP inside the clubhouse to guide him and help improve his approach would be vital for his long term game. There is a reason a young power hitter with many years of club control is being dangled in trade offers.
That all sounds like some serious sports radio nonsense.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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What was the clause with Devers that allowed his first year AAV to be lower after he signed his extension? If I recall correctly it remained at $15 AAV that first year despite the extension.
Two separate contracts. He was signed to a 1/17.5 contract before he signed the new longer deal, which did not tear up or replace the original. So his tax hit for 2023 was 17.5, then the new deal kicked in for 2024 and beyond.

The 1/17.5 was made official on 1/3/23. The extension was signed on 1/11/23.
 

Sandy Leon Trotsky

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That all sounds like some serious sports radio nonsense.
I don’t doubt there are some in the media and plenty of others in the general organization who dislike his demeanor.
Personally I like it. I’m really long, long over the boring “professional” scripted personalities.
 

JohntheBaptist

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What is lacking in Casas’s game is a lack of maturity. Last year he angered Cora and the media with his answers about his injury publicly. Additionally when I listened to Lou Merloni on the Section 10 podcast they made it clear that Casas turned off many people inside the clubhouse with his approach to the game. Having a former MVP inside the clubhouse to guide him and help improve his approach would be vital for his long term game. There is a reason a young power hitter with many years of club control is being dangled in trade offers.
Maybe they should just trade him, I don't know that I could stomach a kid just being different and quirky--and frankly, he's not really that different or quirky--being spun like this to the point where it isn't fun and we're perpetually locked in these debates about his maturity and these stupid 'clubhouse whispers.'

Yeah, the reason he's being dangled is because the only path for this team to get better is to spend players, since they aren't spending money. That and the fact he was open about being in a place of 'pay me' and not 'yeah I'll sign an extension for a lowball early offer.'
 

SouthernBoSox

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Two separate contracts. He was signed to a 1/17.5 contract before he signed the new longer deal, which did not tear up or replace the original. So his tax hit for 2023 was 17.5, then the new deal kicked in for 2024 and beyond.

The 1/17.5 was made official on 1/3/23. The extension was signed on 1/11/23.
So I guess my question is, could the buyout his next two years, and then sign an extension starting in 2027? Feels like a loophole that surely can’t be achievable
 

Granite Sox

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I’d side with Merloni, Carrabis et al on this one.

Casas is (obviously) eccentric. You don’t hear many of the younger players saying, “Boy… that Casas sure has it all figured out. I’ll listen to that guy.” In fact, there aren’t many guys on the roster that fit that bill (Refsnyder? Story?). It’s a pretty big gap and one reason why I’d be in favor of signing Bregman and/or Hernandez.

Casas has stated that he wants to be a resource for younger players, but his 2024 season was shelved by injury and he had a few notable and strange interactions with the media. It’s fine to be a unique/unusual personality, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a good example for the next wave (Anthony, Rafaela, Campbell, etc.). He’s sui generis… take him or leave him.
 

YTF

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could be, but section 10 and Lou Merloni seem to have some solid contacts inside the clubhouse so I tend to believe them. I believe they are much more credible than traditional sports talk radio.
I haven't heard or read his comments. I'd be interested in learning more about the "many" people who were turned off by Casas and if this was something Merloni offered or was the topic broached by someone else on the podcast? Merloni is also a key member of both the Red Sox radio and television broadcast teams. I have to believe that anything he may have said would be as you said, more credible.
 

Rich Garces Belly

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I haven't heard or read his comments. I'd be interested in learning more about the "many" people who were turned off by Casas and if this was something Merloni offered or was the topic broached by someone else on the podcast? Merloni is also a key member of both the Red Sox radio and television broadcast teams. I have to believe that anything he may have said would be as you said, more credible.
Merloni was the one who said it and Careabis and Tyler Miliken jumped in with how Cassas turned off more than half of the clubhouse. Merloni agreed with that take and said “including the manager, but it’s fixable.” They did say that Story is a great clubhouse guy but the clubhouse needs more established veterans who are comfortable in a leadership role.
 

OCD SS

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could be, but section 10 and Lou Merloni seem to have some solid contacts inside the clubhouse so I tend to believe them. I believe they are much more credible than traditional sports talk radio.
And this will be fixed by having an aging veteran sitting around and telling him about some unwritten rules of the clubhouse? Or is Casas more likely to ignore the veteran with the sub .300 OPB in favor of the approach that worked for him.

The only reason to sign the player is because they’re going to contribute on the field, anything else is sports radio nonsense.
 

Rich Garces Belly

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And this will be fixed by having an aging veteran sitting around and telling him about some unwritten rules of the clubhouse? Or is Casas more likely to ignore the veteran with the sub .300 OPB in favor of the approach that worked for him.

The only reason to sign the player is because they’re going to contribute on the field, anything else is sports radio nonsense.
I think improving his approach to the game and learning how to watch film of pitchers is important. Learning from past MVP’s who have been known as a great clubhouse influence would be beneficial IMO.
 

chrisfont9

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I'm of the opinion that there isn't convincing evidence a healthy Yoshida actually needs a platoon partner. He didn't have major splits his last two NPB years, was slightly above average vs LHP in 2023 and hit them fine this summer in the space between the thumb and shoulder injuries.

Not like he's amazing against them, but I think he can hold his own far better than his season split shows.
It would be nice to find out before making him obsolete. If Bloom was still there, I'd feel sure that was the plan, but it's possible Yoshida doesn't have as many defenders in the room these days. At any rate, I'm sure they are weighing this possibility.
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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If a bunch uptight red asses run Casas off the team because he likes to do yoga, nap before games and walk around the outfield barefoot then fuck them.

Get rid of those old guys and keep the younger dude who has the potential for 40 bombs.

The one thing that really sucks about baseball are the hypocritical unwritten rules and the shithead gatekeepers who enforce them.
 

RS2004foreever

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could be, but section 10 and Lou Merloni seem to have some solid contacts inside the clubhouse so I tend to believe them. I believe they are much more credible than traditional sports talk radio.
The first dynasty I knew is baseball was the A's of the early 70's who hated the owner and each other to some degree

I have never been convinced that the clubhouse stuff matters much.
 

SouthernBoSox

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If a bunch uptight red asses run Casas off the team because he likes to do yoga, nap before games and walk around the outfield barefoot then fuck them.

Get rid of those old guys and keep the younger dude who has the potential for 40 bombs.

The one thing that really sucks about baseball are the hypocritical unwritten rules and the shithead gatekeepers who enforce them.
I’ve probably never agreed with you more in any single post.

I’ll add. Casas work ethic is incredible. He is always always always working.

I don’t care he’s weird. Manny Ramirez is my favorite player. Swing at strikes. Hit bombs.
 

joe dokes

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What is lacking in Casas’s game is a lack of maturity.
He's about the most "mature" player on the team. Unless you define "maturity" in terms of how loud you can turn up the latest Maverick Hardcock country music song. He answers questions in umm...uhhh. you know....COMPLETE FUCKING SENTENCES. In two languages if you'd like. And he cooks his own meals. Maybe it would be better if he hired some women chefs and Deshaun Watson'd them. LIKE A REAL MAN.

If a bunch uptight red asses run Casas off the team because he likes to do yoga, nap before games and walk around the outfield barefoot then fuck them.

Get rid of those old guys and keep the younger dude who has the potential for 40 bombs.

The one thing that really sucks about baseball are the hypocritical unwritten rules and the shithead gatekeepers who enforce them.
Bingo. The high-waisters are threatened by Casas because he's smarter and cooler than they are.
I'd like to think that wealthy translucent weirdo John Henry wants to keep Casas around because he (Henry) wishes he could be that cool.

could be, but section 10 and Lou Merloni seem to have some solid contacts inside the clubhouse so I tend to believe them. I believe they are much more credible than traditional sports talk radio.
Damning with faint praise.
 

JohntheBaptist

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I think improving his approach to the game and learning how to watch film of pitchers is important. Learning from past MVP’s who have been known as a great clubhouse influence would be beneficial IMO.
Learning how to watch film of pitchers? What on earth does that mean? Is this based on something?

I would hope any veteran that would come in or that is already there would sit down and talk to the players who got offended by some kid being himself, doing what works for him, and just being himself, instead of the kid who really has done absolutely nothing wrong outside being a little different. You wanna get pissed off at a lack of effort or commitment go off, otherwise let him be him.
 

EvilEmpire

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If Casas is professional and works hard, I seriously doubt his teammates have a problem with his quirks. Sounds like bullshit.
 

nellenelle

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I'm rather dumbfounded by claims Casas somehow needs to learn unofficial clubhouse ropes. It is quite possible things go on of which I am not aware. Setting that aside, if we roll with what we do know, what is of concern? Even his comments on his recovery from injury struck me as playful snark, something most of us routinely employ.

In my time watching Boston sports, we've had some colourful players. Derek Sanderson, Ken Harrelson, Oil Can Boyd, and Dave Cowens are four that I thoroughly enjoyed. Here's to those who are different but true to themselves. Be you.
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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If Casas is professional and works hard, I seriously doubt his teammates have a problem with his quirks. Sounds like bullshit.
There was a story from his first year where Casas would go out to the outfield with no shoes and no shirt. A writer (may have been Speier but I honest can’t remember) said he over heard a nameless veteran say something about Casas’ routine and how “he (Casas) had knock that shit off because we don’t do that stuff around here.”

Who gives a shit? Whether a guy hits 40 homers, four homers or something in between why is it anyone’s business what a dude does to get ready?
 

BaseballJones

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There was a story from his first year where Casas would go out to the outfield with no shoes and no shirt. A writer (may have been Speier but I honest can’t remember) said he over heard a nameless veteran say something about Casas’ routine and how “he (Casas) had knock that shit off because we don’t do that stuff around here.”

Who gives a shit? Whether a guy hits 40 homers, four homers or something in between why is it anyone’s business what a dude does to get ready?
I obviously have no actual idea what their issue is but I can totally picture guys thinking that this is the major leagues and there’s a sense of professionalism that MLB players ought to have, and walking around the field barefoot might not quite fit.

But who knows. I personally don’t care as long as the guy plays well.
 

CR67dream

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I would hope any veteran that would come in or that is already there would sit down and talk to the players who got offended by some kid being himself, doing what works for him, and just being himself, instead of the kid who really has done absolutely nothing wrong outside being a little different. You wanna get pissed off at a lack of effort or commitment go off, otherwise let him be him.
Yeah, and I think this controversy, if that's what it is, is way overblown. Never seemed to me that there was any real vitriol from teammates toward Casas, and it seemed that the team got along just fine, and I never saw anything approaching hostility toward him. The only time I saw Cora come across as pissed off and bluntly critical was when Casas made the shot/stabbed comments in reference to his injury, which really were pretty stupid. Live and learn.

I'm with those that say fuck off to anyone who would shun the guy based on his personality, but I'd need more evidence to even begin to think his presence was widely resented or disruptive to the task at hand. A lot of ballplayers are meatheads, so I can see some being initially uncomfortable, but it sure seems like his work ethic and commitment has earned him a lot of respect in the dugout.

Regardless, Casas won't be affected by the noise, real or manufactured, because he is the rare breed that can truly tune all that bullshit out. It's a tremendous quality, particularly when it's partnered with the potential to hit 40 bombs.

I hope he sticks around, but if he gets moved, it won't have anything to do with anything but the haul they get back for whatever package he's involved in. Thankfully it appears the return would have to be quite substantial.
 

buckner's_ankles

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If a bunch uptight red asses run Casas off the team because he likes to do yoga, nap before games and walk around the outfield barefoot then fuck them.

Get rid of those old guys and keep the younger dude who has the potential for 40 bombs.

The one thing that really sucks about baseball are the hypocritical unwritten rules and the shithead gatekeepers who enforce them.
My favorite post of 2024. Agree 100%.
 

SemperFidelisSox

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Casas needs to be more mature and professional so he can fit in with the guys who have been suspended for domestic violence, homophobic slurs, and stealing signs.
 

marcoscutaro

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What is lacking in Casas’s game is a lack of maturity. Last year he angered Cora and the media with his answers about his injury publicly. Additionally when I listened to Lou Merloni on the Section 10 podcast they made it clear that Casas turned off many people inside the clubhouse with his approach to the game. Having a former MVP inside the clubhouse to guide him and help improve his approach would be vital for his long term game. There is a reason a young power hitter with many years of club control is being dangled in trade offers.
I’d be interested in hearing which episode this was and a timestamp on this one. I’m not that interested in the thoughts of Lou Merloni and his inability to stop running his mouth during the off-season, frankly, and whoever cited Carrabis as a source in the Red Sox clubhouse clearly has never watched more than one episode of s10 because Carrabis has no friends on the current team, the current team (besides Giolito who had just been traded there) have notably not guested on the podcast and he thinks the current team are losers which is why he’s made no effort with them. As well as that, Merloni is a cultural conservative (some very unsavoury Twitter follows) who thinks Jarren Duran is untouchable and did nothing wrong, so I’d take his views about what behaviour is acceptable with a whole pound of salt.

I listened to Jen McCaffrey on pod by the river yesterday and she was very firm in her conviction that Casas would only be traded due to his value. She researched him for months for a piece during the season and she said the organisation loves him, and that Roman Anthony, Teel and Mayer looked up to him during the time he was in Worcester.

Let’s not forget that Casas is a popular player with fans and it helps to regurgitate bullshit about his personality if you’re going to make an unpopular trade. All very despicable considering the player is only 24 years old and his worst trait, as far as I can tell, is to stick with the routines and practices that got him where he is today.

Naturally this article written at the end of 2023 makes no mention of what a clubhouse cancer he is.
https://www.mlb.com/news/triston-casas-2023-rookie-season
 
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marcoscutaro

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Maybe they should just trade him, I don't know that I could stomach a kid just being different and quirky--and frankly, he's not really that different or quirky--being spun like this to the point where it isn't fun and we're perpetually locked in these debates about his maturity and these stupid 'clubhouse whispers.'

Yeah, the reason he's being dangled is because the only path for this team to get better is to spend players, since they aren't spending money. That and the fact he was open about being in a place of 'pay me' and not 'yeah I'll sign an extension for a lowball early offer.'
Funny how he wasn’t “immature” when they were trying to extend him, isn’t it. Funny how 28 year old Jarren Duran shouting at fans - and he does that plenty besides the slur - doesn’t count as immature.