The Red Sox have a decision to make - and the clock is ticking.
With just seven weeks until pitchers and catchers report, Boston’s front office, led by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, is staring down one of its biggest offseason priorities: re-signing third baseman Alex Bregman. A three-time All-Star and one of the most consistent two-way contributors in the game, Bregman has been a cornerstone presence at the hot corner. But as his market continues to heat up, there’s a growing sense that he may be playing his way out of Boston’s price range.
That leaves the Red Sox with a tough question: if not Bregman, then who?
Names like Bo Bichette and Ketel Marte have surfaced in connection with Boston - Bichette as a free agent shortstop, Marte as a trade target from Arizona. But there’s another name worth watching, and it might surprise some fans: Eugenio Suárez.
Suárez, 34, is coming off a monster season. He matched his career high with 49 home runs and set a new personal best with 118 RBIs.
That kind of production doesn’t grow on trees - especially from the right side of the plate, which is exactly what Boston is looking for. Over his 12-year big league career, Suárez has topped the 30-homer mark six times, and he’s been one of the most durable players in the game, logging at least 145 games in each of the last four seasons.
The one glaring red flag? Strikeouts. And a lot of them.
Suárez has led the league in strikeouts three times, including a career-high 214 in 2023. That’s not a small number - it’s the kind of stat that makes front offices think twice, especially for a team like Boston that’s trying to build a more balanced, contact-driven lineup. But when you’re chasing power, especially from the right side, swing-and-miss often comes with the territory.
And Suárez does more than just mash. He’s a respected presence in the clubhouse - something that Seattle Mariners GM Justin Hollander made a point to highlight in a recent interview.
Speaking to MLB Network Radio, Hollander praised Suárez’s leadership and daily consistency, calling him “really hard to replicate.” The Mariners have stayed in touch with Suárez’s camp all winter, and they’re clearly not the only team interested.
That puts added pressure on the Red Sox. If they strike out on Bregman, they’ll need a plan B - and they’ll need to move quickly.
Suárez checks a lot of the boxes Boston is looking to fill: power, experience, durability, and right-handed pop. He may not be as polished defensively as Bregman, and the strikeouts are a real concern, but in terms of raw offensive production, he brings a lot to the table.
For now, all eyes remain on Bregman. His return would stabilize the infield and keep Boston’s core intact. But if the asking price climbs too high, Breslow and the Red Sox may have to pivot - and Suárez could be the name they circle next.
One way or another, the Red Sox will have their answer soon. Spring training is just around the corner.