Since trading away their top slugger and designated hitter Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants on June 15, the Boston Red Sox have been searching for a way to replace his offensive firepower. They’re also grappling with a void at first base following Triston Casas’ season-ending knee injury on May 2. Whether the team still views Casas as a long-term option at the position—assuming he can return and stay healthy in 2026—is uncertain.
Casas missed 89 games in 2024 due to a rib injury and saw his 2025 campaign cut short after just 29 games, raising doubts about his durability. Even when healthy, the 2018 first-round pick hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Once ranked as the Red Sox’s top prospect in 2021, Casas has compiled a solid but unspectacular .800 OPS and 45 home runs over 816 MLB at-bats. Prior to this year’s injury, he struggled mightily, hitting just .182 with a .580 OPS and three home runs in 99 at-bats.
With Casas sidelined, Devers declined to move over to first base—something that may have factored into the team’s decision to trade him. In his absence, manager Alex Cora has turned to a platoon of Abraham Toro and Romy Gonzalez at first, both of whom have held their own but don’t project as permanent solutions.
Looking ahead, MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post confimed an intriguing option: Mets slugger Pete Alonso could be a perfect fit in Boston—if the Red Sox are willing to wait until the offseason. Alonso, a right-handed power bat, has a similar offensive profile to Devers (.859 career OPS for Alonso vs. .856 for Devers) and plays first base, a position of need for Boston. Plus, his wife is from the Boston area, which could help sway a potential deal.
Alonso has recorded a 22.7 career WAR in 135 fewer games than Devers, who holds a 24.7 mark. While Devers gets on base slightly more often (.348 OBP vs. .343), Alonso’s slugging percentage is a touch higher (.516 to .508).
After a drawn-out free agency process, Alonso re-signed with the Mets on a two-year, $54 million contract ahead of the 2025 season. That deal includes an opt-out clause after this year, giving Alonso the chance to test free agency again. With 244 home runs heading into Friday’s game against the Yankees, Alonso sits just eight behind Darryl Strawberry for the Mets’ all-time home run lead—and could be poised for a new chapter if the Red Sox come calling.