Triston Casas might be upset about the Red Sox trading for Wilson Contreras, who could replace him as the full-time first baseman. And, on some level, he probably is upset about it.<\/p>\n
But Casas also is realistic about where he and Contreras are in their respective careers. And, during Fenway Fest on Saturday, Casas offered a refreshingly honest take on Boston upgrading at his position.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAs of right now, the way it is, he\u2019s a better player than me and has been for his entire career,\u201d Casas told reporters, via Chris Cotillo of MassLive<\/a>. \u201cTo upgrade at a position that has been deficient for the last two years is exactly what the team needed.\u201d<\/p>\n Whether Contreras will become the full-time first baseman remains to be seen. There\u2019s a world in which Casas fully rebounds from last season\u2019s patellar tendon tear and reclaims a starting role. However, given the seriousness of the injury that Casas suffered, a best-case scenario could be Casas and Contreras platooning at first base and designated hitter.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Regardless, Contreras will have a big role<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI know Willson will probably hit fourth,\u201d manager Alex Cora said at Fenway Fest. \u201cI know that one.\u201d<\/p>\n Casas entered the big leagues as a high-end offensive prospect and showed promise across parts of his first two seasons. But injuries and inconsistency at the plate and in the field have left his career in limbo<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI definitely believe in my abilities and think they\u2019re up there with the best in the game,\u201d Casas said. \u201cI\u2019ve just got to be on the field, stay healthy and get that sample size. I\u2019ve had good stretches as a major league player. I\u2019ve had mostly bad ones.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cI see and know the habits of the best and I think I\u2019m right there with them. I haven\u2019t shown it on the field, but mentally, I think that I still have that potential of being an All-Star-caliber player.\u201d<\/p>\n Over his first four seasons, Casas hit .241 with 45 homers and an .800 OPS over 251 games. The 33-year-old Contreras is a career .258 hitter with 172 homers and an .811 OPS.<\/p>\n More Baseball:<\/p>\n What Red Sox Reportedly Offered Alex Bregman Before Cubs Signing <\/a><\/p>\n