After watching Alex Bregman leave town for the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Red Sox made a huge splash with their first move in free agency on Wednesday, reportedly agreeing to a five-year, $130 million contract with starting pitcher Ranger Suarez.
The 2024 All-Star joins a loaded starting rotation including AL Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet, three-time All-Star Sonny Gray and 26-year-old Brayan Bello, among others.
While Boston’s offense may still have some question marks, the pitching is enough to give the team a chance at winning its first division title since 2018, according to ESPN senior writer David Schoenfield.
The MLB analyst said on Wednesday that while Suarez’s durability is a bit of a concern, his success when healthy could make an already solid rotation even better.
“Suarez’s history of minor injuries over the past four seasons — combined with a fastball that averages just 91 mph — makes his future an interesting bet,” Schoenfield wrote. “Red Sox fans have grumbled for the past year, from the Rafael Devers trade to not signing Bregman. The roster, however, looks like one that can win the division.”
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The AL East is, again, expected to be one of the best divisions in baseball in 2026.
The defending pennant-winning Toronto Blue Jays have added star right-hander Dylan Cease to the mix and the Baltimore Orioles signed first baseman Pete Alonso and reliever Ryan Helsley, among others.
The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays haven’t been as busy as their counterparts this winter but always seem to be in the thick of things no matter how their rosters look.
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Featured image via Eric Canha/Imagn Images
