Due to factors outside of the Boston Red Sox's control, it took nearly a week to get their newest addition to Fenway Park to make his contract official. But Ranger Suárez arrived from Venezuela to undergo his physical and finally set in stone his future with the Red Sox.
On January 21, Boston introduced Suárez as the newest arm in its starting rotation. Suárez's five-year, $130 million deal is the longest the organization has given out since Masataka Yoshida signed before the 2023 season.
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow gave a ringing endorsement of Suárez's command, postseason success and personality during the lefty's introductory press conference.
"It wasn't hard to find mutual friends, former teammates, coaches, front office personnel who could speak about their relationships and experiences with Ranger, and there were two things that really stood out — one was just the sheer talent...and the second thing that stood out was this big sense of humor that people talked about," Breslow said. "We're looking forward to your personality really surfacing over the next five years."
The Red Sox have placed extra emphasis on personality and clubhouse presence in the last year. Rafael Devers' attitude after his miscommunications with the front office was allegedly one of the main reasons behind the team's decision to trade him in June.
Red Sox emphasize importance of personality with Ranger Suárez signing
Boston also cited Alex Bregman's personality and leadership qualities as one of the main reasons it wanted him back (which, obviously, did not go according to plan). The two-time World Series champion served as a mentor to the younger players in the Sox's clubhouse and some players considered him a second manager in the dugout.
Suárez has already begun endearing himself to Red Sox fans. Shortly after he signed with the Sox, a video of the pitcher dancing and singing in the Philadelphia Phillies' clubhouse after a playoff series win made the rounds on Boston fans' social media accounts. The Red Sox just got reacquainted with the feeling of making the playoffs, while Suárez knows the vibes well.
Suárez also made sure to hit Red Sox fans where they live during his introductory press conference. Growing up in Venezuela, Suárez noted that Red Sox vs. New York Yankees games were often the most widely televised. While all his friends rooted for the Yankees, Suárez took up the role of contrarian and rooted for Boston (he clearly knows his audience). Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras also made similar comments on the rivalry when they signed with the Sox.
The Red Sox may be relying on Suárez's playoff experience and sense of humor to fill a void in the clubhouse and a previously unoccupied leadership role among the pitchers — Lucas Giolito was Boston's veteran last season, but Suárez's years of playoff experience give him an edge that the rotation has lacked for some time.