“But just the chance of that happening is exciting. I’ve played around him a lot. He’s as good as it gets. The intensity that he brings to a team is really beneficial. I think he would thrive here.”
As St. Louis hits the rebuild button, the Red Sox claim they are in the hunt for the division. However, Arenado’s fit would likely come at a cost: moving Devers from his position for the 10-time Gold Glove winner and Hall of Fame-level talent.
The Sox also have been connected with free agent Alex Bregman, who could easily shift to second base and not disturb Devers. Arenado doesn’t have that versatility, having firmly established himself as one of the best third basemen of this generation.
The Sox have adamantly stated they have not had any conversations with Devers about moving off his position. That doesn’t mean they, or it, won’t happen.
“Before we get to that point, we’ll talk to Raffy. Let’s put it that way,” said manager Alex Cora. “That’s the way I operate. I’ve seen situations around the league where the team is really late on that front. The player doesn’t like it, they take it personal. And we understand that part, but I think we’ll do it the right way. But right now, there are no conversations.”
The Sox need a righthanded bat, and either Arenado or Bregman could fit that role.
But Arenado combined for just a .746 OPS (.269/.320/.426) and 42 home runs the last two seasons. Last year, he hit just 16 homers, his lowest total in a 162-game season since he hit 10 as a rookie in 2013.
Story believes Arenado, who turns 34 in April, still has more to offer.
“There’s no doubt in my mind he’s still that guy,” Story said. “I think it’s easy to look at numbers and kind of make an assumption, but he’s still Nolan Arenado. He’s still a Hall of Fame-type player in my eyes, and I think in a lot of people’s eyes. So, yeah, I’m definitely not following the narrative on that.
“There’s a lot of good players out there. He’s one of them.”
Sox say Casas rumors false
The Sox have assured Triston Casas, the first baseman said on Saturday, that rumors his name has been included in trade talks this offseason are just that.
“They’ve told me that none of the rumors are true. So maybe, just maybe, all that other stuff is just clickbait,” said Casas. “But for right now, they are trying to assure me that they want me to play here for a long time.”
Despite the team’s assurances, Casas has been part of trade talks as the Sox attempt to bolster their roster. He intimated the murmurs have not impacted him.
“I try not to get too caught up in it,” said Casas. “I feel like that part of the business of baseball is checking in on players, seeing what kind of value you could get back. You never know what kind of haul you could get for a player, or how much another organization values somebody, so it might be in the best interest to move myself or anybody, really.”
Casas had conversations with the Sox regarding an extension after a promising rookie year in 2023. He then missed four months with a rib cage fracture in 2024, playing in just 63 games with an .800 OPS (.241/.337/.462) and 13 home runs.
“I felt like last summer, I did one of the most difficult things I’ll ever have to do in my baseball career. Having a healthy off season, great spring training, off to a good start, missing four months, and then get thrown right back into the fire and expect to perform at the highest level,” said Casas.
Pen again for Whitlock
Garrett Whitlock has enjoyed a relatively healthy offseason after missing most of last year due to an elbow injury that required surgery.
The righthander has been building up his progression alongside Lucas Giolito, who missed all of last season following elbow surgery.
Giolito is working his way back as a starter. Unlike Whitlock.
“Back to the bullpen, baby,” he said.
Acquired in the Rule 5 draft before the 2021 season, Whitlock quickly became one of the most dominant relievers in the major leagues. He put together a 1.96 ERA in 73⅓ regular-season innings, striking out 81 batters against 17 walks.
Despite that, the Sox began to transition Whitlock to the rotation. Injuries began to pile up, limiting him to 31 appearances (nine starts) in 2022, then 22 (10 starts) in 2023 and just four starts last season.
“I think with his injury history, obviously, keeping every one of our starters and pitchers healthy is important,” pitching coach Andrew Bailey said. “Whit’s been able to do both throughout his career and has had a lot of success in the bullpen. I know he just wants to win and getting him back on the field and being part of the team is of the utmost importance.”
There’s a clear split in Whitlock’s numbers between the roles. In 23 regular-season starts and 109 innings, he has a 4.29 ERA and 1.266 WHIP. In 132⅔ innings in relief, those numbers drop to 2.65 and 1.048. He also strikes out more batters — 10.2 per nine innings versus 8.4.
The additions of Walker Buehler and Garrett Crochet also would have made it difficult for Whitlock to crack the rotation.
“I still have the repertoire and everything to start, and if they need me to do that, I’ll do that,” said Whitlock. “But just talking to [Cora], it’s comfortable down there. It’s where I’ve had success and everything. So it’s what we think is going to help give the team the best chance to win.”
Short hops
Casas said he no longer feels pain in his ribs when he swings and is a full go for spring training. Giolito (elbow) also will be ready for the start of spring training without any restrictions . . . Masataka Yoshida (torn labrum) will begin taking dry swings in two weeks and hopes to begin throwing in March . . . Crochet and his agent have had discussions with the Sox regarding an extension, but nothing beyond that . . . Ceddanne Rafaela said he has gained 10 pounds of muscle this offseason . . . The Sox previewed a part of their Netflix series, “The Clubhouse,” which will air as eight, 45-minute episodes.
Julian McWilliams can be reached at julian.mcwilliams@globe.com. Follow him @byJulianMack.