The Red Sox struck out on Alex Bregman, and with their top third base target off the board, the front office is pivoting-and doing so with urgency. The focus now? Filling key needs elsewhere, and that could mean a serious push for one of the most intriguing arms left on the market.
According to multiple reports, Boston’s Plan B may not involve another bat at all. Instead, the club is reportedly eyeing left-hander Ranger Suárez, a free agent with one of the steadiest arms in the game and a postseason résumé that speaks volumes.
Suárez, 30, isn’t the type of pitcher who’s going to rack up Cy Young votes, but he’s the kind of guy you want on the mound in October. Across 42 2/3 postseason innings, he’s posted a 1.48 ERA, punched out 44 hitters, and owns a 4-1 record. That’s not just solid-it’s elite, especially when the lights are brightest.
Over the past four seasons, Suárez has quietly put together a strong body of work. He’s made 104 starts during that span, with ERA and FIP figures sitting at 3.59 and 3.57, respectively.
Those numbers tell the story of a pitcher who may not dominate headlines, but consistently gives his team a chance to win. His innings totals-150, 125, 155, and 157-won’t blow anyone away, but they reflect a reliable arm capable of holding down a rotation spot over a full season.
Internally, there’s buzz in Boston. According to reports, several voices within the organization are “high on” Suárez, believing he could be a stabilizing presence in a rotation that’s still very much in flux.
But signing Suárez wouldn’t come without a cost. Because he declined a qualifying offer in November, the Red Sox would have to forfeit their second- and fifth-highest picks in this summer’s draft, as well as $1 million in international bonus pool money for next year. That’s a steep price-but one that might be worth paying for a pitcher with Suárez’s playoff pedigree and consistent track record.
Of course, Suárez isn’t the only name being floated. There’s also been chatter around Bo Bichette as a trade target, with reports suggesting the Red Sox could make an “aggressive pursuit” of the Blue Jays’ infielder. Others, like Nico Hoerner, have been mentioned as well, though it’s unclear how serious those discussions are.
Still, with Bregman off the table, it seems clear the Red Sox are keeping their options open-and not just at third base. Whether they go the trade route for a bat or double down on pitching, the next move could tell us a lot about how this front office views its current window of contention.
If Suárez is the guy, he won’t be a flashy addition-but he might be exactly what Boston needs.