When the Red Sox landed Ranger Suárez on a five-year, $130 million deal this offseason, they weren’t just getting a talented lefty-they were also reaping the benefits of a quiet endorsement from someone who’s already seen the inside of Boston’s clubhouse.
Suárez, 30, credited former teammate Walker Buehler with giving him the inside scoop on what it’s like to pitch in Boston. According to Suárez, Buehler spoke highly of the Red Sox’s clubhouse culture and described the team as a “good place” to play. That kind of behind-the-scenes insight can go a long way when players are weighing big decisions in free agency, especially for a pitcher looking for the right fit both on the mound and in the locker room.
Now, it’s no secret that Buehler’s own stint with the Red Sox didn’t go the way anyone had hoped. After signing a $21.05 million deal following his return from Tommy John surgery, the former Dodgers ace struggled to regain his All-Star form.
Over 22 starts, Buehler posted a 5.40 ERA before being moved out of the rotation. He made one bullpen appearance before the Red Sox ultimately released him.
But here’s where things get interesting. Despite the rocky ride in Boston, Buehler didn’t walk away bitter.
In fact, he finished the 2025 season alongside Suárez in Philadelphia, where he looked more like his old self-allowing just one earned run over 13 2/3 innings. And even after the ups and downs in Boston, Buehler still had positive things to say about the organization.
That speaks volumes.
It’s possible that Boston’s decision to move on from Buehler opened the door for Suárez’s arrival this winter. And if Suárez can deliver the kind of consistency he’s shown in recent years, the Red Sox may have quietly pulled off a major rotation upgrade.
Boston’s starting staff is suddenly looking deep and dangerous. Suárez joins a mix that includes Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, Brayan Bello, and Johan Oviedo-a group that combines high-end upside with a range of pitching styles. It’s a rotation built not just to compete, but to wear teams down over a full season.
Suárez’s signing is about more than just numbers-it’s about fit, feel, and the kind of chemistry that can elevate a team from good to great. And in a twist of baseball irony, it was a former Red Sox pitcher whose own struggles may have helped the team find a long-term answer.