Position-by-position look at Red Sox roster: First base

This is Part 2 in a series in which we'll examine the Red Sox roster by position. Each day, we'll focus on one spot around the diamond, examine the incumbent player(s), look at prospects in the system and comment on the state of the position within the organization in general.

TODAY: FIRST BASE

INCUMBENT: Michael Chavis
Last year, the Red Sox began the season envisioning a platoon between Mitch Moreland and World Series MVP Steve Pearce. But Pearce's season began with an injury in spring training, a situation that continued into the season. Pearce accumulated just 89 at-bat and is now contemplating retirement. Moreland enjoyed a strong season with a career-best .845 OPS, but also missed time with injuries. Moreland is a free agent, and at 34, is unlikely to return.
That leaves



Chavis, who was promoted to the big leagues in late April. Chavis was streaky but managed 18 homers in a little more than half a season. Of his 83 starts, 43 were at first base and that position probably makes the most sense for him going forward. Chavis needs to be more consistent with the bat and learn how to hit fastballs up in the zone. His strikeout rate (33 percent) also needs to improve. For now, however, Chavis would appear to be the likely starter at first.

BACKUP: Sam Travis
For a time last season, it appeared as though Travis might finally make good on his opportunity in the big leagues. Travis began barreling up balls against lefty pitching. Alas, by the end of the season, Travis had regressed again — he hit just .100 in September — and finished with a disappointing .656 OPS for the season. At this point, Travis seems like nothing more than an up-and-down player: someone who can fill in occasionally when minor injuries hit, but not a player with much of a future as a solid major league contributor.

PROSPECTS:  Bobby Dalbec, Triston Casas.
Dalbec has as much power potential as anyone in the Red Sox' system. Originally a third baseman with a strong throwing arm, he's now blocked at the position by the emergence of Rafael Devers and has been moved across the infield to first base. Strikeouts will likely always be an issue with him, so Dalbec needs to improve his pitch recognition and make more consistent contact. It's doubtful that he could win a job on the big league roster next spring, having played just 30 games above Double A. But a strong start at Pawtucket could find him in the mix soon enough.

Long-term, Casas would seem to be the Red Sox' first baseman of the future. By most accounts, he's now ranked as the organization's top overall prospect, with an impressive hit tool and natural power. That said, Casas won't turn 20 until January and has barely played above low Single A. Even with a quick rise through the system, it's doubtful that Casas would arrive at Fenway before the second-half of 2021 at the earliest.

FREE AGENTS RED SOX COULD TARGET: Greg Bird, Eric Thames, Matt Adams.
With Dalbec close and Casas on the horizon, the Red Sox won't want to commit to anyone long-term at the position. The most likely scenario would be to find a platoon option on a one-year deal, to share playing time with either Chavis, or in time, Dalbec. Bird is intriguing, but has battled injuries for nearly his entire career. Thames and Adams would offer some pop.

OVERALL: First base is a position in transition for the Sox. While waiting for some internal candidates to mature, the team will likely seek some outside help to assist in 2019.