The Red Sox came into this offseason with some big swings in mind for third base - but so far, they’ve whiffed. Alex Bregman’s not walking back through that door, and neither are the two top-tier NPB corner infielders, Munetaka Murakami or Kazuma Okamoto. That leaves Boston in a bit of a bind: no clear third baseman, and a few different ways they could go to patch the hole.
Sure, Marcelo Mayer could shift over to third, but that’s not exactly Plan A. The Sox have long viewed Mayer as a foundational piece up the middle - more of a shortstop or second baseman type - so if they do move him, it might be to second base. That still leaves third base wide open.
So where does that leave Boston? One name that’s gaining traction is Eugenio Suárez.
The two-time All-Star is one of the few viable free-agent options still on the board, and he checks a lot of boxes for this Red Sox roster. He’s got experience, he’s got power, and - maybe most important for Boston’s front office - he’s not going to break the bank.
Suárez’s 2025 season was a bit of a rollercoaster. He tailed off hard down the stretch, but the full-season numbers still paint the picture of a guy who can mash.
In 159 games, he slashed .228/.298/.526/.824, racking up 28 doubles, 49 home runs, and 118 RBIs. That kind of pop would instantly make him one of the most dangerous bats in Boston’s lineup - and let’s be honest, they could use a jolt of that kind of power.
Even with the late-season dip, Suárez’s ability to change a game with one swing remains intact. And in a hitter-friendly park like Fenway? That short left-field wall could be his best friend.
Financially, this is the kind of move that makes sense for a team trying to stay flexible. Suárez is projected to land a two-year, $29 million deal - not exactly bargain bin, but manageable.
If Boston can structure it as a one-year contract with a club option for a second, it becomes a low-risk, high-reward play. If he thrives, you pick up the option and keep riding the wave.
If not, you move on without long-term damage to the payroll.
It’s not the kind of headline-grabbing move fans might’ve hoped for when the offseason started, but it could be one of those under-the-radar signings that pays off in a big way. Suárez brings power, experience, and a little edge - and right now, that might be exactly what this Red Sox lineup needs.
Boston still has options - including exploring the trade market for a second baseman if Mayer shifts to third - but with Nolan Arenado now off the board after the Cardinals-Diamondbacks deal, the list of impact corner infielders is shrinking fast. Suárez might not be the flashiest name left, but he could be the right fit at the right time.
And for a Red Sox team trying to climb back into contention, sometimes the smart move is the one that doesn’t make all the noise - but makes all the difference.