When Is It Okay To Worry About Triston Casas: An Attempt at the Reverse Jinx

[E5 Yaz]

Until someone puts together a video compilation of all the infield throwing errors to 1B, I'm not willing to dump on Casas as much as others here.
Last night's throw, for instance. It was clear from the replay -- and Merloni pointed this out -- Keekay clearly tried aiming the ball and shorted it, with the bouncing veering away from Casas to the plate-side. A medium high bounce like that isn't as easy to snag as we armchair observers want to believe.
I think what we're experiencing is that Casas hasn't produced as the ROY candidate most of us thought we'd be seeing, so any misstep on his part gets magnified.
YMMV

 

[OurF'ingCity]

His defense worries more than his bat. I think the bat will come around to at least not be a net negative but I'm not convinced he can actually play 1B, his instincts just seem poor and I'm not sure how you fix that. Sure the INF isn't helping him at all but I've never seen someone whiff so badly on balls thrown in the dirt besides Dalbec. If he continues to be a butcher in the field, currently leading MLB 1B with -6 DRS, I don't think the bat will carry him to a positive WAR. Perhaps you can DH him at some point but Yoshida is quickly headed to DH status as well and Devers may eventually end up there as well. Point being this team has a lot of DHs and not a lot of capable fielders.

I don’t think he’s ever going to be a good fielder. He’s too slow and lumbering - one of the slowest players in all of MLB, in fact. According to Statcast, his range to his right is abysmal. So even if he learns to pick a few more throws, he’ll be merely bad instead of terrible.

You can live with that if he’s a good hitter, but obviously he’s not right now. So to the extent he has to focus on one “thing,” it obviously should be his hitting.

Overall though he clearly has to work on a bunch of stuff and AAA is the place to do that - there’s no shame in that, this happens all the time to top prospects (the Yankees are in a similar quandary with Volpe). At a certain point that we are rapidly approaching if we haven’t reached already, keeping him up is going to do more harm to his career long-term than sending him down.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Until someone puts together a video compilation of all the infield throwing errors to 1B, I'm not willing to dump on Casas as much as others here.
Last night's throw, for instance. It was clear from the replay -- and Merloni pointed this out -- Keekay clearly tried aiming the ball and shorted it, with the bouncing veering away from Casas to the plate-side. A medium high bounce like that isn't as easy to snag as we armchair observers want to believe.
I think what we're experiencing is that Casas hasn't produced as the RPY candidate most of us thought we'd be seeing, so any misstep on his part gets magnified.
YMMV

I agree with the bolded. The toughest throws for a first baseman to handle are the in-between hops like that one where he's caught between catching the ball palm up or palm down. Unlike a ground ball where you can move forward or back up to mitigate the in-between hop, the first baseman is stuck there and has to hope he guesses right on his mitt position.

On that Kike throw last night, I'd divide the blame about 85% on Kike and 15% on Casas. There are definitely 1B with softer/better hands that might have been able to pick it. I also think a left-handed throwing 1B would have had an easier time picking it with a backhand stretch.

 

[Fishy1]

I don't think there's a good reason to send him down right now. Give some more at-bats at first base to Turner? Sure. But I still think Casas will be a good big league regular. Am quite confident actually. If his BABIP was around .270, which it should at least be given his hard hit %, his line would look much better... 230/350/400 or something. But it's not, and I'm worried he's abandoning his approach to put the ball in play. He seems to thrive on being a patient person, not just a hitter, and I hope he doesn't change who he is because he's had a rough stretch.

The infield defense isn't all his fault, though he's been mediocre, and I think he'll work on getting better at picking throws. More of Reyes at short would be good. Let Kike play 2nd, and if it bumps Arroyo to backup, that's more than fine with me.

 

[Sin Duda]

As a former 1B man, I agree that the big hop throws are very difficult. Someone upthread suggested not swinging toward the hop throws. I too did the swinging arm thing (naturally, without having seen it on TV) and, thinking about it, the swing allows the first baseman to field the ball while it's just rising from its hop, allowing a greater likelihood of catching it. It also allows a stretch, important if the play is going to be close.

Regarding Casas' ability to improve defensively, I think he needs to be in better shape. He's not fat but he has some baby fat around his middle and definitely around his thighs. If he puts in a strong off-season, I believe he will field and run better, but that is not a small "if".

 

[iddoc]

It was surprising that Dalbec, who played 3B in the minors (and some in the majors) and seems quite athletic, struggled to play 1B in Boston. And now Casas (who was a 3B when he was drafted IIRC) is having similar problems. At what point do we put some blame on the coaching staff? Who is responsible for teaching 1B defense?

 

[joe dokes]

As a former 1B man, I agree that the big hop throws are very difficult. Someone upthread suggested not swinging toward the hop throws. I too did the swinging arm thing (naturally, without having seen it on TV) and, thinking about it, the swing allows the first baseman to field the ball while it's just rising from its hop, allowing a greater likelihood of catching it. It also allows a stretch, important if the play is going to be close.

For short hops, I'd agree. But for the longer hops, not so much. I understand about the stretch, but job 1 is to catch the ball. And on long hops, staying back a bit gives the 1Bman a better chance at that. And I was always taught not to stretch until you saw where the ball is going -- stretch toward the ball after its released, not towards the thrower before he releases. (But give the thrower a target so you both know where he's aiming). Too many guys adjust to the ball after they stretch, not before and they get caught in awkward positions relative to the throw.

 

[Green Monster]

For short hops, I'd agree. But for the longer hops, not so much. I understand about the stretch, but job 1 is to catch the ball. And on long hops, staying back a bit gives the 1Bman a better chance at that. And I was always taught not to stretch until you saw where the ball is going -- stretch toward the ball after its released, not towards the thrower before he releases. (But give the thrower a target so you both know where he's aiming). Too many guys adjust to the ball after they stretch, not before and they get caught in awkward positions relative to the throw.

This is Dalbec to a Tee........He frequently would end up laying on his stomach after trying to catch a ball that was 2ft to the side of him.....Seems like a very simple correction but the coaches apparently didn't pick up on it

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

It was surprising that Dalbec, who played 3B in the minors (and some in the majors) and seems quite athletic, struggled to play 1B in Boston. And now Casas (who was a 3B when he was drafted IIRC) is having similar problems. At what point do we put some blame on the coaching staff? Who is responsible for teaching 1B defense?

View: https://youtu.be/gzDYgRc6eic

 

[Sin Duda]

For short hops, I'd agree. But for the longer hops, not so much. I understand about the stretch, but job 1 is to catch the ball. And on long hops, staying back a bit gives the 1Bman a better chance at that. And I was always taught not to stretch until you saw where the ball is going -- stretch toward the ball after its released, not towards the thrower before he releases. (But give the thrower a target so you both know where he's aiming). Too many guys adjust to the ball after they stretch, not before and they get caught in awkward positions relative to the throw.

I'm right with you, JD. My dad taught me all the things you said while I was young (because I'm lefthanded) and I'd like to think I practiced them just as you described. I would hold both feet against the side of the bag until until I saw where the ball was coming, then step into my stretch. A short-hop throw would cause me to do the the swinging catch, but a long hop throw I never reached for the throw in the first place, but rather held the glove closer to my chest to catch the ball above the wait (and probably acting defensively to keep it from hitting me in the face).

 

[iddoc]

View: https://youtu.be/gzDYgRc6eic

Exactly what I had in mind!

 

[rodderick]

I think it's an absolutely unconscionable decision to give Turner more play at first when Casas needs developing, this team isn't really going anywhere and Turner isn't really a good defender at that spot to begin with. Smells way too much of a manager prioritizing keeping his job over anything else. The kid needs the reps, it's not like his bad defense could be the difference in the postseason, and his underlying contact quality numbers are very solid. He needs to be out there.

 

[8slim]

I think it's an absolutely unconscionable decision to give Turner more play at first when Casas needs developing, this team isn't really going anywhere and Turner isn't really a good defender at that spot to begin with. Smells way too much of a manager prioritizing keeping his job over anything else. The kid needs the reps, it's not like his bad defense could be the difference in the postseason, and his underlying contact quality numbers are very solid. He needs to be out there.

It’s defensible if it only lasts a few weeks. It might be helpful to Casas to get him out of the field for a while and let him recalibrate. I don’t know how much of his fielding woes are mental, but I suspect he’s in his own head too much and time away might be good.

I agree that if it goes on the rest of the season then that’s bad IF they still think Casas is their 1B of the future.

 

[OurF'ingCity]

The solution might be to option Casas to AAA and let him get his reps there.

 

[moondog80]

I think it's an absolutely unconscionable decision to give Turner more play at first when Casas needs developing, this team isn't really going anywhere and Turner isn't really a good defender at that spot to begin with. Smells way too much of a manager prioritizing keeping his job over anything else. The kid needs the reps, it's not like his bad defense could be the difference in the postseason, and his underlying contact quality numbers are very solid. He needs to be out there.

Seems to me that defense can be worked on outside of games in a way that hitting and pitching cannot. I don't have a problem with it -- I'm not suggesting he's been lazy, but it does send the message that this is really a priority.

 

[sezwho]

Seems to me that defense can be worked on outside of games in a way that hitting and pitching cannot. I don't have a problem with it -- I'm not suggesting he's been lazy, but it does send the message that this is really a priority.

Yes, this. Casas responded reasonably well earlier to a couple days off at the plate, and a couple days of fielding drills without adrenaline spikes of live action could be what he needs. Gotta get him back in saddle soon though.

 

[GB5]

There is an article in the Athletic today that says the RS have asked Casas to work on in game situations, stuff that actually happens, but that he has stuck to his customary routine.
It’s certainly still early, but if this sticks, combined with the report that the veterans didn’t like his pregame lying in the sun routine last year, then is this the making of a problem.
I have to wonder if this is overblown. I can’t imagine as a rookie and as a rookie who is struggling, that if the coaches want him taking situational infield before the game, that he is telling them “nope, I am good, I am going to stretch in the sun and paint my nails"

 

[TomRicardo]

The solution might be to option Casas to AAA and let him get his reps there.

Why? I rather him get use to major league pitching. This team isn't going anywhere.

 

[The_Dali]

Someone posted upthread that is spot on… he is trying to not make an out.

When I watch him it appears that he is looking for 1 pitch in 1 location. Anything on the corners is ignored and then he appears to get surprised when that 1pitch/location doesn’t happen.

I really don’t like what I see. Overall he looks like Bobby D with a better batting eye. Unfortunately , the umpires don’t always agree with his eye.

 

[Rovin Romine]

Why? I rather him get use to major league pitching. This team isn't going anywhere.

He was the DH last night.

I think it's an absolutely unconscionable decision to give Turner more play at first when Casas needs developing, this team isn't really going anywhere and Turner isn't really a good defender at that spot to begin with. Smells way too much of a manager prioritizing keeping his job over anything else. The kid needs the reps, it's not like his bad defense could be the difference in the postseason, and his underlying contact quality numbers are very solid. He needs to be out there.

Overall, I don't have a problem with the team shaking up Casas' routine to coach him or if they think it will help. Turner's partially there as insurance anyway, and it's not like even a week off from fielding is going to derail Casas' development or anything.

In fact, if it helps get his bat on track, there may be an improvement in his fielding to his previously cromulent MiL standard.

 

[dhappy42]

Why? I rather him get use to major league pitching. This team isn't going anywhere.

And there’s not a significantly better option at 1B.

 

[OurF'ingCity]

And there’s not a significantly better option at 1B.

Turner?

 

[chrisfont9]

View: https://twitter.com/Jared_Carrabis/status/1668364458853269506?s=20


I thought his walk last night off Lawrence was pretty great. That guy was unhittable.

 

[dhappy42]

Turner?

Turner isn’t significantly better at 1B than Casas. He might be a little better, but not enough (imo) to justify depriving Casas of playing time… as long as Casa is on the MLB roster. I’m in the camp that thinks Casas would benefit from a relatively short minor league stint to regroup. And I say that as a Casas fan.

 

[Trapaholic]

I am a Casas defender. The defense thing is real, and from what I have seen, he does not have the instincts or footwork to play a competent first base at the MLB level. Guys can develop that, but it will take a lot of time and frustration. The ground ball in the rain is a great example of the baseball gods finding the guy who is prone to making a mistake in a huge spot.

As far as the "Since May #" sample sizes, were closing in on about a month of sub-par offense from the team as a whole. Leading the team in XYZ category is a bit less impressive in that context.

I say all this to say we are in the growing pain zone for a young MLB player. Some days we will say "wow, this is great!", and some days, like Monday, we will see the double play and error in clutch situations. When the rest of the team is not hitting, or catching the ball for that matter, the growing pains are excruciating.

 

[chrisfont9]

I am a Casas defender. The defense thing is real, and from what I have seen, he does not have the instincts or footwork to play a competent first base at the MLB level. Guys can develop that, but it will take a lot of time and frustration. The ground ball in the rain is a great example of the baseball gods finding the guy who is prone to making a mistake in a huge spot.

As far as the "Since May #" sample sizes, were closing in on about a month of sub-par offense from the team as a whole. Leading the team in XYZ category is a bit less impressive in that context.

I say all this to say we are in the growing pain zone for a young MLB player. Some days we will say "wow, this is great!", and some days, like Monday, we will see the double play and error in clutch situations. When the rest of the team is not hitting, or catching the ball for that matter, the growing pains are excruciating.

Yeah, he is 23 and has 260 MLB at-bats, so all of his sample sizes are pretty worthless. Let the kid incubate.

 

[soxhop411]

Casas working on his defense pre game
View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1669078564539359235
View: https://twitter.com/IanMBrowne/status/1669079962370863129

 

[dhappy42]

Casas working on his defense pre game
View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1669078564539359235
View: https://twitter.com/IanMBrowne/status/1669079962370863129

Surprising he hasn’t been taught this before now.

 

[ColdSoxPack]

There is an article in the Athletic today that says the RS have asked Casas to work on in game situations, stuff that actually happens, but that he has stuck to his customary routine.
It’s certainly still early, but if this sticks, combined with the report that the veterans didn’t like his pregame lying in the sun routine last year, then is this the making of a problem.
I have to wonder if this is overblown. I can’t imagine as a rookie and as a rookie who is struggling, that if the coaches want him taking situational infield before the game, that he is telling them “nope, I am good, I am going to stretch in the sun and paint my nails"

I read that. This is a dam ing quote from that article:

Those adjustments, Febles said, started last week in Cleveland, where the Red Sox began to change some of Casas’ pregame work. The Red Sox want Casas to focus on improving his first step and making routine plays. Febles said they’ve talked to Casas about his pre-pitch setup and about adding agility drills to his workouts. Improving Casas’ first step, Febles said, should unlock everything else.
“Pre-pitch and first step have never been things that I’ve focused on,” Casas said. “I’ve just tried to be intentional every single pitch (and stay locked) into the game. I want the ball every single time.”

And:

Felbes and Vázquez said Casas’ pregame work often includes preparation for unusual plays far from the bag — plays that rarely happen in actual games — and the coaching staff wants him to focus more on the routine plays that happen multiple times a day.
“I don’t disagree with (his intent),” Febles said. “But sometimes it’s like, why work on something that only happens once or twice a year? … If you have to go to catch the ball over there, we’re in trouble. It’s the one here (close to the bag). That’s what we’re missing, so that’s what we need to (improve).”

Finally:

“I think I’m in a really good place with my footwork (and) with my handwork,” Casas said. “The coaches obviously want the best for me. They’re going to try to get me better in every single way, shape and form that they can. But overall, I think everything that I’m doing is to the best of my abilities, which is all that I can control.”

Who is in charge here?

 

[sezwho]

I read that. This is a dam ing quote from that article:

Those adjustments, Febles said, started last week in Cleveland, where the Red Sox began to change some of Casas’ pregame work. The Red Sox want Casas to focus on improving his first step and making routine plays. Febles said they’ve talked to Casas about his pre-pitch setup and about adding agility drills to his workouts. Improving Casas’ first step, Febles said, should unlock everything else.
“Pre-pitch and first step have never been things that I’ve focused on,” Casas said. “I’ve just tried to be intentional every single pitch (and stay locked) into the game. I want the ball every single time.”

And:

Felbes and Vázquez said Casas’ pregame work often includes preparation for unusual plays far from the bag — plays that rarely happen in actual games — and the coaching staff wants him to focus more on the routine plays that happen multiple times a day.
“I don’t disagree with (his intent),” Febles said. “But sometimes it’s like, why work on something that only happens once or twice a year? … If you have to go to catch the ball over there, we’re in trouble. It’s the one here (close to the bag). That’s what we’re missing, so that’s what we need to (improve).”

Finally:

“I think I’m in a really good place with my footwork (and) with my handwork,” Casas said. “The coaches obviously want the best for me. They’re going to try to get me better in every single way, shape and form that they can. But overall, I think everything that I’m doing is to the best of my abilities, which is all that I can control.”

Who is in charge here?

Ooof. Not awesomeness when the only realistic counter is to observe he’s still young. I remember thinking similarly dumb things (sadly I’m sure I still do without realizing it yet) and part of growing up is taking responsibility for yourself, but ignoring coaches isn’t a typical path to success.

 

[Rovin Romine]

Who is in charge here?

I think the video from two posts up - the one from today, where he is working on first step for what looks like a totally routine ball, is pretty suggestive.

 

[Minneapolis Millers]

…
“Pre-pitch and first step have never been things that I’ve focused on,” Casas said. “I’ve just tried to be intentional every single pitch (and stay locked) into the game. I want the ball every single time.”
…

This might well be true, but if his failure to get into position to cut the ball last night is any indication, he’s not doing very well at staying locked in, either.

 

[bosockboy]

View: https://twitter.com/redsoxstats/status/1669176089329926144?s=46

 

[LogansDad]

I read that. This is a dam ing quote from that article:

Those adjustments, Febles said, started last week in Cleveland, where the Red Sox began to change some of Casas’ pregame work. The Red Sox want Casas to focus on improving his first step and making routine plays. Febles said they’ve talked to Casas about his pre-pitch setup and about adding agility drills to his workouts. Improving Casas’ first step, Febles said, should unlock everything else.
“Pre-pitch and first step have never been things that I’ve focused on,” Casas said. “I’ve just tried to be intentional every single pitch (and stay locked) into the game. I want the ball every single time.”

And:

Felbes and Vázquez said Casas’ pregame work often includes preparation for unusual plays far from the bag — plays that rarely happen in actual games — and the coaching staff wants him to focus more on the routine plays that happen multiple times a day.
“I don’t disagree with (his intent),” Febles said. “But sometimes it’s like, why work on something that only happens once or twice a year? … If you have to go to catch the ball over there, we’re in trouble. It’s the one here (close to the bag). That’s what we’re missing, so that’s what we need to (improve).”

Finally:

“I think I’m in a really good place with my footwork (and) with my handwork,” Casas said. “The coaches obviously want the best for me. They’re going to try to get me better in every single way, shape and form that they can. But overall, I think everything that I’m doing is to the best of my abilities, which is all that I can control.”

Who is in charge here?

Uhhhh, based off of what you quoted, it sounds like the coaches are, and they are shifting him to pre-game work that will better suit his and the team's needs.

 

[simplicio]

Thought experiment: if Bloom were to flip the script, channel his inner Atlanta and hand Casas a contract tomorrow running through his age 30 season in 2030, what would be a fair rate? Would you be on board?

Are we just frustrated by his slow start and defensive flaws, or are we losing faith in his potential?

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

Thought experiment: if Bloom were to flip the script, channel his inner Atlanta and hand Casas a contract tomorrow running through his age 30 season in 2030, what would be a fair rate? Would you be on board?

Are we just frustrated by his slow start and defensive flaws, or are we losing faith in his potential?

Honestly I've thought about this and think it'd be a good idea. I'm still super bullish on the kid and think he'll be 30+HR .850+OPS hitter with decent defense for years. He's showing signs, nobody can deny that. It's F'in growing pains. Most highly rated prospects start off around what he's been doing. I'd look at offering an 8 year for $80M.

 

[TFisNEXT]

Casas is already a decent hitter now who is just getting unlucky. His statcast numbers are quite encouraging. Hopefully we continue to see progression from "Decent hitter" to "good" or "great" between now and during next season. His expected batting average is still very low (.210) but his expected OBP/SLG numbers with neutral luck would look like .338/.428

View attachment 65190

Updated numbers.....the plate discipline remains elite. Exit velocity has improved along with hard hit %....he does need to still cut down on the Ks.

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

Updated numbers.....the plate discipline remains elite. Exit velocity has improved along with hard hit %....he does need to still cut down on the Ks.

View attachment 66019

I wish I could understand how this applies to actual production....

 

[YTF]

There is an article in the Athletic today that says the RS have asked Casas to work on in game situations, stuff that actually happens, but that he has stuck to his customary routine.
It’s certainly still early, but if this sticks, combined with the report that the veterans didn’t like his pregame lying in the sun routine last year, then is this the making of a problem.
I have to wonder if this is overblown. I can’t imagine as a rookie and as a rookie who is struggling, that if the coaches want him taking situational infield before the game, that he is telling them “nope, I am good, I am going to stretch in the sun and paint my nails"

I've not read the article, so my response may be off base, but whatever happened to "OK rook, grab your glove and take your position. We've got a few things to work on."? No asking or suggestion, but rather, "This is what we're working on today.".

 

[Rovin Romine]

I've not read the article, so my response may be off base, but whatever happened to "OK rook, grab your glove and take your position. We've got a few things to work on."? No asking or suggestion, but rather, "This is what we're working on today.".

View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1669078564539359235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1669078564539359235%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

 

[ColdSoxPack]

Uhhhh, based off of what you quoted, it sounds like the coaches are, and they are shifting him to pre-game work that will better suit his and the team's needs.

Uhhhh, this is what I read: “I think I’m in a really good place with my footwork (and) with my handwork,” Casas said.

 

[tims4wins]

After the rough stretch last week, he had a nice series vs. the Yankees at the plate.

Since May 3, he's at .265 / .370 / .444 / .814. 20 BB vs 33K in 138 PA.

 

[Brohamer of the Gods]

His numbers have all been trending upwards recently, which is great. I still can't tell if he will ever be enough of a hitter to overcome his negative defensive value. At this point though, I don't see a reason to send him down unless it were tied to an effort to get Duvall, Kike, and Turner on the field as much as possible for the next month to bump their trade value (with Yoshi at DH) with Casas coming back up once some of the deadwood has been removed.

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

His numbers have all been trending upwards recently, which is great. I still can't tell if he will ever be enough of a hitter to overcome his negative defensive value. At this point though, I don't see a reason to send him down unless it were tied to an effort to get Duvall, Kike, and Turner on the field as much as possible for the next month to bump their trade value (with Yoshi at DH) with Casas coming back up once some of the deadwood has been removed.

Wow…. I still think they’re going to get into the playoffs and with (if) a healthy Sale they could win a series or two. I don’t really see a powerhouse this season, like Houston looked last year… Tampa and Baltimore are good but not as good as they’ve been playing.
Selling those guys would be throwing in the towel…. And if they play well enough to garner interest, that means they’re more likely in the thick of it.
I’d rather them package a few prospects and try to pry away a young cost controlled starter (maybe a full season remaining on contract).

 

[Rovin Romine]

Are we just frustrated by his slow start and defensive flaws, or are we losing faith in his potential?

If this board had been around in 1982, some members would be advocating trading Wade Boggs due to his craptastic play in the field and his lack of power.

 

[Mueller's Twin Grannies]

Wow…. I still think they’re going to get into the playoffs and with (if) a healthy Sale they could win a series or two. I don’t really see a powerhouse this season, like Houston looked last year… Tampa and Baltimore are good but not as good as they’ve been playing.
Selling those guys would be throwing in the towel…. And if they play well enough to garner interest, that means they’re more likely in the thick of it.
I’d rather them package a few prospects and try to pry away a young cost controlled starter (maybe a full season remaining on contract).

Is Sale even going to be back this year? It's June and he hurt his shoulder so badly that they put him on the 60-day DL already. It seems highly unlikely that he'll be ready for any playoff run, which is a long shot at this point, especially since they keep losing to bad teams (not named the Yankees) and good teams alike. I don't think Story is going to be that much of a difference-maker and I don't see Bloom pulling the trigger on costly trade acquisitions on what will likely still be an outside chance by the deadline. Unless it's someone who is part of the future for this team, meaning '24 and beyond, there should be no hesitancy in dealing anybody on the team if the return is good.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Is Sale even going to be back this year? It's June and he hurt his shoulder so badly that they put him on the 60-day DL already. It seems highly unlikely that he'll be ready for any playoff run, which is a long shot at this point, especially since they keep losing to bad teams (not named the Yankees) and good teams alike. I don't think Story is going to be that much of a difference-maker and I don't see Bloom pulling the trigger on costly trade acquisitions on what will likely still be an outside chance by the deadline. Unless it's someone who is part of the future for this team, meaning '24 and beyond, there should be no hesitancy in dealing anybody on the team if the return is good.

He's on the 60-day for two reasons: they needed the roster spot and his recovery is going to take a minimum of two months anyway. That doesn't rule out a return in some capacity.

But this is the Casas thread, so further Sale talk should move to the Sale thread (or the rotation thread).

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

Is Sale even going to be back this year? It's June and he hurt his shoulder so badly that they put him on the 60-day DL already. It seems highly unlikely that he'll be ready for any playoff run, which is a long shot at this point, especially since they keep losing to bad teams (not named the Yankees) and good teams alike. I don't think Story is going to be that much of a difference-maker and I don't see Bloom pulling the trigger on costly trade acquisitions on what will likely still be an outside chance by the deadline. Unless it's someone who is part of the future for this team, meaning '24 and beyond, there should be no hesitancy in dealing anybody on the team if the return is good.

Obviously I have no idea… but benching Casas or demoting him seems like the worst idea either way. I’d rather he keep playing at least 3 out of 4 days at 1B or DH. I doubt other teams if they’re interested in Turner would want more of a sample size that he’s playing at currently to determine if they want him or not

 

[Rovin Romine]

But this is the Casas thread, so further Sale talk should move to the Sale thread (or the rotation thread).

It's full of rationality. https://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/sale-to-il-with-left-shoulder-inflammation.39614/page-2#post-5601179

 

[reggiecleveland]

If this board had been around in 1982, some members would be advocating trading Wade Boggs due to his craptastic play in the field and his lack of power.

Or somebody would defend Glen Hoffman or Rick Miller by comparing them to Joe Cronin and Tris Speaker.