Red Sox Seek First Baseman After Triston Casas Injury, Josh Naylor Traded to Mariners

The Boston Red Sox have struggled to fill the void at first base after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending ruptured patellar tendon, leading to a search for a reliable replacement. Rafael Devers, initially refusing to move to first base, was traded to the San Francisco Giants, while journeyman Abraham Toro has been a temporary option. The Red Sox reportedly targeted first baseman Josh Naylor, who was viewed as a good fit to address their corner position issues, but he was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Seattle Mariners, who hold a slight edge over Boston in the AL Wild Card race. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are expected to keep their outfield intact despite trade speculation, with fan-favorite Jarren Duran unlikely to be traded to division rival Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays, leading the AL East and tied for the best record in the league, have been strong offensively and pitching but face injuries, particularly to key bullpen arms like Yimi Garcia, which may prompt them to consider additions at the trade deadline. This competitive environment makes the AL East and Wild Card races highly contested as the trade deadline approaches.