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Identifying One Trade Target to Fix Red Sox Biggest Roster Hole

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joel Reuter | Last updated May 14, 2025 11:13 AM ET

Plenty of words have already been dedicated to a potential solution to the Boston Red Sox first base problem since Triston Casas suffered a season-ending ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee earlier this month.

A reunion with free agent Anthony Rizzo, a trade for someone like Nathaniel Lowe or Rhys Hoskins, a position change for Rafael Devers, a promotion of prospect Roman Anthony or Marcelo Mayer, with some defensive shuffling.

In the end, the short-term answer has proven to be nothing, with in-house options Romy Gonzalez, Abraham Toro, and Nick Sogard handling first base duties, but eventually, the front office figures to do something more significant.

While any of those above options could be the answer, an under-the-radar target worth considering is Houston Astros prospect Shay Whitcomb.

He has put up some gaudy numbers in the minors, including a 2023 season where he tallied 35 home runs, 102 RBI and 20 steals in 133 games between Double-A and Triple-A, and a 2024 campaign where he logged a .909 OPS with 25 home runs and 91 RBI in 108 games back at Triple-A Sugar Land.

The 26-year-old is on the cusp of no longer being considered a prospect due to his age, and he is once again swinging it well at Triple-A with a .259/.341/.531 line that includes 13 doubles, nine home runs, and 20 RBI in 38 games.

He has started games at first base, shortstop, third base, left field, right field and designated hitter while attempting to add to his versatility, and a low-cost flier on a potential Quad-A player could give the Red Sox a short-term answer at first base with more offensive upside than their current collection of candidates to fill the void.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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