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Four rentals the Red Sox should consider to replace Triston Casas
Chicago Cubs first baseman Justin Turner. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Four rentals the Red Sox should consider to replace Triston Casas

Steps were taken in the offseason to address the Red Sox offense, notably signing third baseman Alex Bregman, but the club still went into spring training with a potential hole on the roster: A lack of first base depth. 

Triston Casas was penciled in as the team's starter at first, but Boston failed to address adding depth behind him during the offseason. Injuries last season limited Casas to just 63 games, in which he hit .241/.337/.462 with 13 home runs. 

Casas was off to a slow start to this season, batting .182/.277/.303 through 112 plate appearances before his season came to an end on May 2 due to a torn left patellar tendon. 

Boston's left with a hole on their roster at first base and without a (willing) replacement, they're going to need to look outside the organization to address that need. The club doesn't need someone under a long-term contract, as Casas should be healthy again by next spring, so pursuing a pending free agent might be the solution. 

Here are four players who fit the bill.

(Stats are entering play on Monday, May 12.) 

Justin Turner


May 3, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Justin Turner drives in a run with a base hit in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The 40-year-old came to Chicago to be a veteran bench piece on a contending club. Turner was beloved in his lone season in Boston (2023) and had interest in returning to the organization when he reached free agency after the season. The Cubs have rolled through their early schedule despite limited production from Turner, who has hit .155/.271/.155 over 70 PA without an extra-base hit, and they could easily sustain replacing him with another infielder. 

Turner is a .284/.362/.455 hitter over his 17-year career. 

Dominic Smith


Mar 19, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Dominic Smith (22) fields a ground ball in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Like Turner, Smith is familiar both to Red Sox fans and within the team's clubhouse. The 29-year-old left-hander hit .237/.317/.390 over 278 PA with Boston last season, filling in when Casas was lost to injury. Smith is posting similar numbers (.234/.315/.387 in 127 PA) with the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate. Barring an injury, there doesn't look like a clear path to playing time for him in New York. 

Smith has hit .246/.313/.403 over his eight seasons in the majors. 

Josh Bell


Apr 19, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Washington Nationals first base Josh Bell hits a home run during the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Bell is off to a sluggish start offensively, slashing just .134/.226/.286 with a single home run through 133 PA. The 32-year-old switch-hitter should be available, as the Nationals are already on the outskirts of the playoff picture and Bell, who signed for just $6M this season, doesn't figure into the team's long-term plans. 

Bell is a .255/.340/.442 hitter over his ten-year career. 

Yandy Diaz


May 6, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz (2) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Diaz isn't a true rental if Boston doesn't want him to be, as his contract includes a team option for 2026 at $12M (with no buyout), and prying him away from the division-rival Rays might be a little costlier than some of the aforementioned options. Diaz, however, is likely the most complete offensive upgrade they could make. The 33-year-old is hitting .238/.291/.400 with six home runs on the year and is losing playing time at first base to Jonathan Aranda. 

Over a nine-year career, Diaz is a .286/.369/.431 hitter. 

Aaron Somers

Aaron Somers has more than a decade of experience writing about sports and has been published in numerous outlets, but baseball is and has always been his biggest passion. You can follow him on BlueSky, @AaronJSomers.

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