Red Sox Pass on Eugenio Suárez, Raising Eyebrows Across the AL East
After watching Eugenio Suárez torment them in last year’s ALCS, you’d think the Red Sox would’ve taken the hint: this guy can still swing it. And with a glaring hole at third base following Alex Bregman’s departure, Suárez seemed like a natural fit. But instead of making a move, Boston stayed on the sidelines, watching the veteran slugger ink a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds - a contract that was both short-term and financially manageable.
According to reports, the Red Sox were never seriously in the mix. Suárez was down to choosing between the Reds and Pirates, with Boston nowhere near the negotiating table. That’s a head-scratcher, especially when you consider how desperately the Sox needed a stabilizing force at the hot corner - and how well Suárez’s right-handed pop would’ve played off Fenway’s Green Monster.
This wasn’t the only curious decision in Boston’s offseason. The front office also passed on a trade for All-Star second baseman Brendan Donovan, opting instead to bring in utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Now, IKF has his strengths - versatility, glove work, and a team-first mentality - but with a career 82 wRC+, he’s not exactly the kind of offensive upgrade you build a lineup around.
To be fair, the Red Sox did make some legitimate moves. Their rotation looks dramatically different, and on paper, it’s one of the best in the division.
Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo, and Ranger Suárez join Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello in a group that has the potential to dominate. That’s a formidable five, no question.
Offensively, they added Willson Contreras to fill their first base vacancy. That’s a solid get - a proven right-handed bat with power and postseason experience. Contreras should help anchor the middle of the lineup and bring some much-needed edge to the clubhouse.
But beyond that? It’s been a quiet winter in Boston.
The bullpen, for one, remains untouched, and that’s a gamble. Aroldis Chapman is still the guy at the back end, but at 38, relying on him to carry the load is risky business.
And instead of dealing from their crowded outfield to address other areas, the Sox dipped into their minor-league pitching depth to make most of their acquisitions - a move that could come back to bite them later.
Let’s not forget: losing Bregman wasn’t just about production, it was about leadership. He was one of the faces of the franchise, and his absence leaves a void both on the field and in the dugout. The team is hoping top prospect Marcelo Mayer can step in and fill those shoes, but that’s a big ask for a young player still finding his footing at the big-league level.
Meanwhile, up in Toronto, the Blue Jays have reloaded. They lost Bo Bichette but responded by signing Kazuma Okamoto and sliding Ernie Clement into a bigger role. Add in George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and the Jays’ lineup looks deep, dangerous, and ready to roll.
Boston’s rotation might be able to go toe-to-toe with Toronto’s, but when it comes to lineup depth and offensive firepower, the Jays have the edge - especially now that Suárez won’t be wearing red and white. His absence from Boston’s lineup is a win for Toronto, plain and simple.
The AL East is going to be a dogfight in 2026. Every decision matters.
And right now, the Red Sox’s refusal to pursue Suárez - or make a bigger splash offensively - feels like a missed opportunity. The pitching is there.
The talent is there. But in a division this stacked, standing pat can be just as costly as taking the wrong swing.