What happened: Boston enters the offseason with first base and payroll flexibility centered on Triston Casas. Front office options include dealing from depth to rebalance the roster before a potential league shutdown freezes movement.

Why it matters: Casas anchors an infield decision that shapes playing time and payroll into 2027. A quiet trade market plus labor uncertainty would compress Boston's window to upgrade the roster.

What to watch: Winter meetings and any labor talks set the timeline for Boston's first moves.