The Red Sox didn’t land Kyle Tucker. They didn’t land Bo Bichette either. And yet, somehow, they’ve walked away from this offseason looking like one of the biggest winners in the American League - not because of who they signed, but because of who didn’t sign elsewhere.
Let’s start with what Boston did do. The Red Sox made their splash by locking in left-hander Ranger Suárez to a five-year, $130 million deal - a move that gives them a durable, high-upside arm to stabilize the front of their rotation. That’s an average of $26 million per year, which, in today’s market, feels like a relative bargain for a pitcher entering his prime with postseason experience and elite command.
Now, contrast that with what the Dodgers just pulled off.
Los Angeles agreed to a four-year, $240 million deal with free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker - a staggering $60 million per year on paper. The actual annual salary is closer to $57 million, thanks to deferrals, but here’s where things get wild: because the Dodgers have blown past the final Competitive Balance Tax threshold of $304 million, they’re now paying a 110% tax on every dollar beyond that limit.
That means, in terms of real dollars spent, Tucker is going to cost L.A. around $120 million in 2026 alone. One year.
One player. One massive financial commitment.
And here’s the kicker: it still might be worth it for the Dodgers. That’s how good Tucker is. But it also underscores just how far ahead they are financially from the rest of the league - and how tough it is for mid- and even big-market teams to keep pace.
Which brings us back to the Red Sox.
Boston didn’t have to outbid the Dodgers. They didn’t even have to land one of the two biggest names on the market. Instead, they watched as two of their division rivals - the Blue Jays and the Mets - swung big and missed (or pivoted) in ways that could reshape the AL East pecking order.
Toronto, once considered the frontrunner for Tucker, came up short again. It’s a pattern that’s become all too familiar north of the border: big expectations in free agency, followed by a quiet letdown.
Losing out on Tucker is one thing. But then seeing Bo Bichette - a homegrown star and fan favorite - sign a three-year deal with the Mets for $42 million per year?
That’s a gut punch.
Suddenly, a Blue Jays lineup that was supposed to be anchored by Tucker and Bichette is now leaning heavily on Anthony Santander to carry the load. That’s a tough ask, even for a solid bat like Santander’s. And for a team that once looked poised to control the AL East, the offseason has left more questions than answers.
The Mets, for their part, scrambled well. They missed on Tucker but landed Bichette, giving their infield a major upgrade. But that doesn’t help the Blue Jays, who not only lost a key piece but watched him head to another market entirely.
Boston, meanwhile, benefits from all of it. They were in on Bichette at one point, but didn’t overextend.
And while losing Alex Bregman earlier in the offseason hurt, the way things have unfolded since has more than softened the blow. With Suárez in the fold and both Tucker and Bichette out of the division, the Red Sox have effectively improved their standing in the AL East without having to go toe-to-toe financially with the Dodgers or Mets.
There’s still a debate to be had about Dylan Cease and how his future might impact the balance of power between Boston and Toronto. But for now, the Red Sox have positioned themselves well. They’ve added a frontline starter, avoided the kind of massive overpays that can hamstring a team long-term, and watched their top division rival take a step back.
Sometimes, the best offseason moves are the ones you don’t make.