The Boston Red Sox entered MLB’s free-agent frenzy by reportedly signing Ranger Suárez to a five-year, $130 million deal. One former player believes they made a wise move.
MLB analyst Kevin Frandsen, a former utility man, said Wednesday on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that the Red Sox are in a great spot after landing Suárez.
“I feel like they are set up so well,” Frandsen said. “Maybe I’m in the minority on this one.”
Frandsen thinks the Red Sox pivoted perfectly after Alex Bregman left for the Chicago Cubs. He can see the left-handed starting pitcher benefiting Boston more than the departing All-Star third baseman.
“Them not landing Bregman but landing Suárez might have been a better fit, for me personally,” Frandsen said. “Because I feel like to withstand the AL East, you got to be able to pitch.”
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Some observers may wonder what the Suárez signing means for Payton Tolle and Connelly Early. The promising pitching prospects face an uphill climb to making a loaded rotation that can feature Suárez, Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, Brayan Bello and Johan Oviedo.
However, Frandsen likes the fact that Boston won’t need the young southpaws early in the 2026 season. The Red Sox can instead monitor their innings so they’re ready to impact a potential playoff run.
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“They don’t have to make 32 starts in the big leagues,” Frandsen said. “That’s not the goal. The goal is to get them to the end of the year.”
Frandsen called Suárez “one of the coolest guys I’ve ever been around” and suggested that his $26 million average annual salary is actually a bargain.
“I’m not going to sit there and say that it’s a huge steal,” he said, “but it kind of feels like it.”
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Featured image via Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
