"Do not trade Triston Casas" - MLB insider warns Red Sox against sacrificing 24-year-old 1B for $260,000,000 superstar

Things are heating up between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals for a potential trade involving star third baseman Nolan Arenado, who's on an eight-year, $260 million deal. According to John Denton, Arenado, who has a full no-trade clause in his contract, is open to waiving his clause if it means getting traded to the Red Sox.

With Rafael Devers already guarding the hot corner there, a trade for Arenado could see 24-year-old first baseman Triston Casas become a part of that trade. MLB insider Robert Murray has strongly advised against such a move, though.

Murray shared his skepticism about the third baseman's trade market, citing his age, declining performance, large contract and no-trade clause as significant barriers.

"He's got a large contract, he’s an aging player, declining — it's just... and he’s also got this no-trade clause," Murray said on Baseball Insiders podcast (14:05 onwards).

"That ultimately makes it a really difficult move to pull off. I’m going to side with what Katie Woo said because I think it’s right as of now—though things can always change. But to me, this is going to end up being a Red Sox-or-bust kind of situation unless an injury or something else happens."

However, Murray is adamant that the Red Sox shouldn't consider moving Casas in any deal for Arenado.

"If I were the Red Sox, I would not trade Casas for Arenado," Murray added. "I would not trade Casas for Arenado and Ivan Herrera. I wouldn’t move Casas in any Arenado deal whatsoever if I were the Red Sox."

Murray's stance is clear: Triston Casas should be off the table in any potential Arenado trade.

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Former teammate speaks about Nolan Arenado joining the Red Sox

Trevor Story, who shared the field with Nolan Arenado during his time with the Colorado Rockies, isn't unaware of the trade buzz, as he revealed his excitement if something happens in this regard.

“Obviously that seems like a cool idea and we would love that,” Story told NESN.com.

“I think he would thrive in Boston just given his intensity, his love for the game, his passion for the game. He’s a superstar, man. I don’t think we’re turning down anybody that wants to play in Boston and wants to do it. Obviously a cool idea, but a lot of things need to happen for that.”

If Arenado comes in, Boston would be in a dilemma about how to position him. There seems to be no other way to go about the potential deal than to give away Casas in exchange. Whether it's worthwhile for a player who only hit 16 homers in 2024 is something the Red Sox need to determine this offseason.