The Boston Red Sox had a golden opportunity to address a glaring need in their infield this offseason-and they let it slip away.
With Marcelo Mayer expected to take over one of the infield spots, likely at second or third base, the Red Sox still have a major hole to fill. And with few internal options that inspire confidence, the expectation was that Boston would turn to the free-agent market to shore things up. But as of now, their top target is off the board-and at a price that raises eyebrows.
Eugenio Suarez, one of the most productive power bats still available, is heading back to Cincinnati on a one-year, $15 million deal that includes a mutual option for 2027. That’s a team-friendly contract for a player who crushed 49 home runs last season and has 325 career bombs over a 12-year MLB career. At 34, Suarez is still swinging like a middle-of-the-order threat, and for a Red Sox team that could use a jolt of offense at third base, this one stings.
Let’s be clear: Suarez wasn’t a perfect fit. His defense isn’t going to win him any Gold Gloves, and he’s expected to DH for the Reds more than he plays the field.
But for Boston, the need wasn’t at DH-it was at third base. And even with the defensive concerns, Suarez’s bat would’ve been a major upgrade over what the Sox currently have in-house.
Power like Suarez’s doesn’t come around often, especially at that price. A one-year commitment with a manageable mutual option is exactly the kind of low-risk, high-reward move that contenders often jump on. For Boston, it could’ve been a plug-and-play solution to a persistent problem.
Now, with Suarez off the table, the Red Sox are left to explore less appealing-and potentially more complicated-alternatives. Names like Brendan Donovan or Isaac Paredes are floating around the trade market, and Boston does have some pitching depth that could be used as leverage. Free agency still offers a few options, but none with the combination of power and affordability that Suarez brought to the table.
This isn’t just about missing out on a player. It’s about missing out on the player who could’ve solved a critical need without tying up long-term resources. For a team looking to stay competitive in a tough AL East, that’s the kind of move you have to be ready to make.
The Red Sox front office still has time to pivot, but the path forward just got a little murkier. And if third base remains a weak spot come Opening Day, this missed opportunity could loom large.