The Boston Red Sox suffered a significant and emotionally devastating setback on Friday when promising young first baseman Triston Casas sustained a major knee injury during a game against the Minnesota Twins. The injury occurred as Casas, 25, attempted to beat out an infield ground ball and collided awkwardly with the foot of Twins first baseman Ty France, who was attempting to cover the bag after a throwing error by pitcher Joe Ryan. After the impact, Casas lay motionless on the field for several minutes before being assisted off, leaving teammates and fans visibly shaken.
Medical evaluations revealed that Casas suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his knee—an injury that not only ends his 2024 season but also poses potential long-term consequences. The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the shinbone, and injuries to it are notoriously difficult to recover from, especially for athletes who rely heavily on lower-body strength and mobility. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow confirmed that the injury would require surgery, sidelining Casas for at least eight to twelve months, with an uncertain prognosis beyond that.
Alarmingly, data from a 2019 meta-analysis conducted by researchers at Nantes University in France, which reviewed nine studies involving 196 athletes with similar tendon ruptures, found that many never return to their previous level of performance. Athletes’ recovery outcomes in the study varied widely—from 52% to 100% of their former performance levels—evaluated from two to nearly ten years post-injury. This raises serious questions not just about when Casas can return but whether he will ever fully reclaim the power and agility that made him such a promising piece of the Red Sox’s future.
Casas, a 2018 first-round draft pick, had shown flashes of significant potential through the early stages of the 2024 season, appearing in 29 games before the injury. His absence leaves a noticeable hole in Boston’s infield and lineup—not just this season, but potentially for years to come. “Everybody is down or is sad. Just wishing him a speedy recovery and hoping everything goes well for him,” said Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello in the wake of the injury, reflecting the team’s disheartened mood.
However, while the emotional toll is substantial, the practical implications for the Red Sox may be even more pressing. The team lacks organizational depth at first base, and with Casas’ future uncertain, Boston’s front office must begin evaluating both short-term and long-term options for filling the void.
One high-profile name already linked to the Red Sox is New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso. According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, Boston was among eight teams interested in signing Alonso during the previous offseason. Ultimately, they chose to sign former Astros third baseman Alex Bregman instead, while Alonso re-signed with the Mets.
But the situation around Alonso has since evolved. Last week, Mets owner Steve Cohen told the New York Post that Alonso plans to opt out of his current two-year, $54 million deal after the 2024 season, re-entering free agency. His performance this year has only increased his value. Through the first 33 games of the season, Alonso has led the National League in OPS (1.136), hits (40), and doubles (11), while also ranking among the leaders with eight home runs.
Reports indicate that Alonso turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension from the Mets in 2023 in anticipation of testing free agency again. Although he may not command significantly more than that figure, it’s likely to serve as a baseline for his market. Financial projections from sports business site Spotrac estimate Alonso’s current market value to be around $174 million over six years.
With a 2024 payroll of $197.5 million—ranking 12th in Major League Baseball—the Red Sox are in a financial position to pursue a top-tier free agent like Alonso. If Casas remains sidelined or diminished long term, Boston could very well revisit their interest in Alonso with greater urgency and commitment. As NESN’s Tim Crowley previously noted, “Alonso would feast with the Green Monster as a target and add the needed right-handed balance and power the Red Sox seek for the lineup.”
Given the gravity of Casas’ injury and the uncertainty surrounding his return, the Red Sox may have little choice but to explore a major acquisition at first base. If Pete Alonso hits the open market as expected, don’t be surprised to see Boston make a serious, perhaps all-in, push to bring the slugger to Fenway Park.
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