Red Sox Reportedly ‘Like’ Free-Agent Slugger As Potential Alex Bregman Replacement
The Boston Red Sox are running out of options for an impact free-agent signing.
Boston suffered a tough loss when Alex Bregman reportedly signed a five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. His departure creates an infield opening for the Red Sox to address, whether at third base or second base.
Bo Bichette has emerged as the next target, but another hitter could provide a seismic power boost. The Red Sox “like” Eugenio Suárez, as reported Monday by MassLive’s Sean McAdam and Chris Cotillo.
How much do the Red Sox like him? McAdam and Cotillo wrote that Suárez should “soon find out whether or not they plan on being serious bidders.”
Suárez mashed 49 home runs for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners last season. His 118 RBIs finished fourth behind two Red Sox free-agent targets who signed elsewhere, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, and American League MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh.
Signing Suárez would give Boston a potent middle-of-the-order slugger who’s missed a combined seven games in the last three seasons. Last year’s 3.8 fWAR would have matched Ceddanne Rafaela as the Red Sox’s second-most valuable position player behind Jarren Duran (3.9).
However, Suárez also comes with some caveats. He batted .228 with a .298 on-base percentage and 29.8 percent strikeout rate in 2025.
Suárez posted a career-worst 15.3 percent swinging-strike rate last season, chasing more pitches outside the strike zone (31.0%) than ever before in his 12-year career. The 34-year-old is also a limited fielder who’s posted negative Defensive Runs Saved in each of the last eight seasons.
His power could still justify a short-term investment, especially if the Red Sox don’t land Bichette or another notable hitter.