The Boston Red Sox finally made their first splash in free agency this offseason, and it’s a significant one. With just five weeks left until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the front office has answered growing pressure from fans by locking in left-handed starter Ranger Suárez on a five-year, $130 million deal, pending a physical.
This move comes on the heels of Boston missing out on their top target, Alex Bregman, who signed with the Cubs. But instead of lingering on what could’ve been, the Red Sox pivoted-and they did so with purpose. Suárez may not light up the radar gun, but he brings something arguably more valuable to Boston’s rotation: consistency, command, and a proven ability to get outs without overpowering stuff.
Let’s talk about what the Red Sox are getting here. Suárez, 30, spent the past eight seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, gradually evolving from a bullpen arm into a dependable starter.
Over his four seasons as a full-time rotation piece, he compiled 12.1 bWAR-a testament to his steady impact. In 2025, he had arguably his best season yet, throwing a career-high 157.1 innings with a 12-8 record and a 3.20 ERA.
That’s the kind of production Boston desperately needed.
What’s especially notable is that Suárez secured this contract in a league increasingly obsessed with velocity. Only seven qualified starters last season had a lower average fastball velocity, yet Suárez still commanded $130 million.
That speaks volumes about how much the Red Sox value his ability to pitch-not just throw hard. He’s a pitcher’s pitcher, relying on movement, sequencing, and poise under pressure.
In a rotation that’s lacked reliability in recent years, Suárez brings a stabilizing presence.
But Boston’s offseason work might not be done yet.
With Bregman off the board, the Red Sox are still hunting for help at third base. One name that’s emerged is Isaac Paredes of the Houston Astros.
According to multiple sources, Boston expressed interest in the 26-year-old during the Winter Meetings and could revisit those conversations. Paredes, who came to Houston in the Kyle Tucker trade, had a solid 2025 campaign-slashing .254/.352/.458 with 20 home runs and a 123 OPS+ over 102 games.
He’s under team control for two more seasons, which makes him a valuable asset for Houston and a potentially costly acquisition for Boston.
Here’s where things get interesting. The Astros aren’t actively shopping Paredes, but they also recognize he needs regular at-bats to unlock the full potential of their lineup.
That opens the door for a possible deal-if the Red Sox are willing to part with a key piece or two. Outfielders like Cedanne Rafaela or Jarren Duran could be tempting trade chips, especially given Houston’s unsettled outfield situation.
It’s a classic case of strength-for-strength, but it would require Boston to dip into its farm system or young core-something they’ve been cautious about.
If a deal for Paredes doesn’t materialize, the Red Sox have other options. Eugenio Suárez is one name that continues to circle around the rumor mill.
The veteran third baseman is a free agent after wrapping up a seven-year, $66 million deal, and Boston has reportedly shown interest. A month ago, Suárez was viewed as a fallback option.
Now, with Bregman gone and other targets like Jorge Polanco and Ketel Marte either off the board or less viable, he’s suddenly a more serious consideration.
Suárez brings plenty of power to the table. He finished the 2025 season with 49 home runs, 118 RBIs, and a 125 OPS+, splitting time between the Diamondbacks and Mariners. At 34, he’s not a long-term solution, but on a short-term deal, he could be exactly the kind of bridge Boston needs at the hot corner while they continue to develop their infield prospects.
So where does this leave the Red Sox?
They’ve started to address their rotation with a high-upside, high-floor addition in Ranger Suárez. Now the focus shifts to the infield.
Whether it’s a trade for Paredes or a free-agent signing like Suárez, Boston still has work to do if they want to stay competitive in an increasingly tough AL East. But after weeks of waiting, Red Sox fans finally have something concrete to build on-and maybe, just maybe, reason to believe that more moves are coming.