The Boston Red Sox have finally dipped into the free agent pool, and it’s a move that signals both urgency and intent. After missing out on their top target, Alex Bregman, the Sox pivoted quickly and decisively, landing left-handed starter Ranger Suárez on a five-year, $130 million deal, according to multiple reports. The contract, still pending a physical, comes with no opt-outs or deferrals - a clear sign Boston is committing to Suárez as a key piece of their rotation for the long haul.
This marks Boston’s first free agent signing of the offseason, and it comes with just five weeks to go until pitchers and catchers report to spring training. Until now, the Red Sox had only made roster additions via trades, so this move breaks the mold - and it couldn’t come at a more critical time.
Suárez might not light up radar guns - in fact, only seven qualified starters last season had a slower average fastball velocity - but he’s the kind of pitcher who thrives on precision, poise, and pitchability. In an era where velocity often dominates headlines, Boston is betting big on results over raw stuff. And make no mistake, Suárez has delivered results.
After eight seasons with the Phillies, the 30-year-old southpaw has fully transitioned from bullpen arm to reliable starter. Over his four years as a full-time member of Philadelphia’s rotation, he posted a 12.1 bWAR - a testament to his consistency and value.
His 2025 campaign was arguably his best yet: 157.1 innings pitched, a 12-8 record, and a 3.20 ERA. That kind of durability and effectiveness is exactly what the Red Sox rotation has been lacking.
But Boston’s work is far from done.
With Bregman now officially off the board - he signed a five-year, $175 million deal with the Cubs - the Red Sox are still searching for answers at third base. One name that keeps surfacing is Houston’s Isaac Paredes. According to multiple reports, Boston showed interest in the 26-year-old slugger during the Winter Meetings and could re-engage in trade talks now that Bregman is out of reach.
Paredes, who joined the Astros in the Kyle Tucker trade with the Cubs, had a solid 2025 season: a .254/.352/.458 slash line, 20 home runs, 50 RBIs, and a 123 OPS+ over 102 games. He’s got two more years of club control, which makes him both affordable and attractive - but also a tough asset for Houston to part with.
That’s where things get interesting. The Astros aren’t actively shopping Paredes, but they also recognize he needs regular at-bats to maximize his impact.
With Houston’s outfield picture still a bit murky, Boston might have the pieces to spark a conversation. Names like Cedanne Rafaela or Jarren Duran could intrigue Astros GM Dana Brown, especially if he’s looking to shore up other areas of the roster.
It’s a delicate balance - Paredes is valuable now, but could flipping him bring back something just as impactful?
Still, there’s a bigger question looming for Boston: Do they really want to dip further into their farm system to land a third baseman, or would it make more sense to sign a veteran and preserve their prospect capital?
That brings us to Eugenio Suárez.
The 34-year-old is on the Red Sox radar as a potential fallback option, and with the market thinning, he’s becoming more than just a contingency plan. Suárez, who became a free agent after completing a seven-year, $66 million deal, had a monster 2025 season split between Arizona and Seattle. He launched 49 home runs, drove in 118 runs, and posted a 125 OPS+ - numbers that would bring instant power to the middle of Boston’s lineup.
According to reports, the Red Sox have expressed interest and are now weighing whether to make a serious offer. A short-term deal for Suárez could make a lot of sense - a bridge to younger talent, a middle-of-the-order bat, and a veteran presence in the clubhouse.
Other names like Jorge Polanco and Ketel Marte have been floated as possibilities, but Suárez seems to be the most realistic fit at this stage of the offseason. He was once viewed as a Plan B - or even Plan C - but as options dwindle, he’s quickly becoming one of the last viable solutions.
Bottom line: The Red Sox made a strong opening statement by locking in Ranger Suárez. Now, with their rotation starting to take shape, the focus shifts to solidifying the infield - particularly at third base. Whether that’s through a trade for a young bat like Paredes or a short-term deal with a proven slugger like Suárez, Boston’s next move will say a lot about how aggressive they’re willing to be in reshaping this roster.
With spring training fast approaching, the clock is ticking - and the Red Sox know it.