Overview
- Casas said he understood Boston acquiring Contreras and called the veteran "a better player" given recent underproduction at first base.
- Manager Alex Cora praised Contreras’ bat and labeled him a plus defender, echoing chief baseball officer Craig Breslow’s plan to make him the primary first baseman.
- Contreras shifted from catcher to first base in 2025 and hit .257 with a .344 OBP, 20 home runs and 80 RBIs, production the Red Sox expect to stabilize the position.
- Casas, coming off a ruptured patellar tendon in May 2025, said returning for Opening Day would be a "tight squeeze" as he ramps up baseball activities.
- Boston absorbed Contreras’ multi-year deal reported at $36.5 million through 2027 with a 2028 club option, while Casas retains minor-league options and recently avoided arbitration, leaving multiple roster paths to be sorted in camp.