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What they’re saying nationally about Red Sox signing Ranger Suárez
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- What they’re saying nationally about Red Sox signing Ranger Suárez
The Red Sox no longer hold the title as the only team in MLB to have not signed a free agent after they agreed on a f ive-year, $130 million deal with Ranger Suárez on Wednesday.
The veteran pitcher spent his first eight seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and will add another strong arm to a deep Boston rotation.
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Here's what's being said about the signing.
"After an All-Star season in 2024, Suarez leaned more into his changeup and cutter in 2025 against righties and more into his slider against lefties (along with lowering his arm slot) as he went 12-8 with a 3.20 ERA while setting career highs with 151 strikeouts and 157 innings pitched as he dealt with back problems, a recurring issue for him."
"One reason Suárez enticed numerous contenders as a free agent: He is best when it matters most. Suárez's 1.48 ERA in the postseason (42 2/3 innings) ranks among the best since Major League Baseball expanded its tournament in 1995. Only Mariano Rivera (0.70 ERA in 141 innings) and Stephen Strasburg (1.46 ERA in 55 1/3 innings) have better marks with as many innings pitched.
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"Suárez showed he could thrive with diminished stuff in 2025. How his new contract ages will depend on the lefty's ability to maintain the pristine command he showcased in 2025, when he posted a career-best 5.8 percent walk rate. He does not surrender home runs; his rate has been steady for four consecutive seasons."
"Suárez was a full-time starter in the Philadelphia rotation over the past four years. During that time, the southpaw went 38-29 with a 3.59 ERA (1.29 WHIP) and an 8.3 K/9 rate.
"He's been solid in the regular season but lights-out in the playoffs, going 4-1 with a 1.48 ERA (1.06 WHIP) over 11 games (eight starts) and a 9.3 K/9 rate.
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"This also gives the Red Sox six quality starters entering the season, with Patrick Sandoval on the roster to serve as a swing man or to fill in if someone misses time due to an injury."
"Given that the heavily pursued Bo Bichette is the only top infield bat left in free agency, Breslow decided to respond from the Bregman loss in a different way, leaning hard into a process that has been in motion for weeks – improving the starting rotation.
"Shortly before Thanksgiving, Breslow added solid veteran Sonny Gray in a trade with the Cardinals . On Dec. 4, the Sox acquired Johan Oviedo – a righty they believe has great upside in addition to elite extension on his delivery – from the Pirates."
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"Suárez played key roles in helping the wild card Phillies eliminate the division champion Atlanta Braves in both 2022 and 2023, and along with Framber Valdez was the most desirable left-handed starter on the market.
"His signing pushes talented right-hander Brayan Bello to the No. 4 slot, though Gray's pending free agency after this season ensures the Red Sox have strong pitching depth in coming years. The Red Sox also acquired right-hander Johan Oviedo from Pittsburgh last month, and he figures to get the first crack at the No. 5 starter job; additionally, the club saw encouraging signs from rookies Payton Tolle and Connelly Early after their debuts late last season."
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"In the end, the Red Sox offered more money to Ranger Suarez ($130m present day value) than they offered Alex Bregman (closer to $120m NPV) over five-year deals. Given what Bregman was to their team and clubhouse last year, his unique two-way skills in a market that paid Pete Alonso $155m and Schwarber $150m, that makes no sense. Major miscalculation."
"Since converting to a full-time starter in 2022, Suárez has been an effective pitcher when on the mound. Over the past four seasons, he owns a 3.59 ERA over 588 1/3 innings. That was good for a 117 ERA+, meaning his ERA was 17% better than the league average over the past four seasons.
"The left-hander, however, has dealt with minor injuries in each season during that stretch and has never started more than 30 games in a single regular season. Notably, the last time Suárez dealt with an elbow injury was in 2023. He was able to return from the issue that season and still posted solid numbers. His injuries that past two years have not involved his arm. While he's not necessarily a workhorse, Suárez has averaged 26 starts per year since 2022, so he's not injury-prone, either."
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