Thirteen months ago, Craig Breslow made a bold move that surprised many. The Red Sox are hoping to do something similar again this winter.
Last December, just after losing out to the Yankees for pitcher Max Fried, the Red Sox struck a deal with the White Sox for Garrett Crochet. They let go of four players, including Kyle Teel, but it paid off. Crochet quickly became their star pitcher and even finished second in the Cy Young race. Now, they’re counting on Ranger Suárez to step up after Alex Bregman moved to the Cubs.
Suárez wasn’t a surprise target for the Red Sox. A key figure in the organization mentioned him as part of their wish list back in early November. Even after trading for Sonny Gray, the team didn’t expect to make another major pitching move before Opening Day. They believed Gray could perform well alongside Crochet, and they were also optimistic about reaching a deal with Bregman.
However, the Cubs’ sudden interest in Bregman changed everything. As soon as he was off the table, the Red Sox shifted gears. During their meetings following the Fenway Fest event, they focused on finding a top pitcher, ideally a lefty. Hearing about the Red Sox’s need, superagent Scott Boras was quick to act.
The result? The Red Sox offered Suárez a five-year deal worth $130 million. This straightforward contract had no complicated terms—just a steady average of $26 million per year. Sometimes, keeping it simple works best.
It’s easy to criticize Breslow for missing out on free agents like Pete Alonso and Bregman. Yet, he didn’t dwell on those losses. Following the disappointment last year with players like Juan Soto and Fried, he made swift moves to secure talent. Yes, some labeled the Suárez signing as a panic response, but urgency can yield positive outcomes. It’s often the right push needed to make a deal happen.
This offseason didn’t go as planned for the Red Sox. They initially aimed to add two big bats, not expecting to pursue another starter. Surprisingly, acting quickly benefited them. Now, their payroll has soared to around $270 million—an all-time high for the franchise.
Suárez’s success will ultimately define this deal, but the Red Sox showed they won’t sit back and miss another chance to improve. They’re ready to make bold choices, and that could change the course of their season.
For more on the implications of roster changes in Major League Baseball, you can read this NCAA report on player transfers for additional context and analytics.
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