It took losing Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs for the Boston Red Sox to sign their first free agent of the winter. After their early pitching trades, many fans expected it to be a bat.
Instead, Boston brought in longtime Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, Ranger Suárez on a five-year, $130 million deal. Suárez is the No. 2 starter the Red Sox claimed to be coveting when they traded for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo.
Now, the Sox's rotation is more stacked than ever while the offense still lacks consistency and thump. Suárez's $130 million deal will limit the Red Sox in free agency (although it shouldn't, given how much money Fenway Sports Group has), but he brings more long-term depth to an already deep rotation, which could allow Boston to take to the trade market to fill its offensive needs.
Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, Payton Tolle, Connelly Early or other top pitching prospects could be some of the first on the trade block given the Sox's pitching depth. Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reported on January 14 that some people within the Red Sox organization have not ruled out any chance of trading from their outfield surplus.
The Athletic reports that Red Sox may trade from their outfield logjam, contrary to recent statement from Craig Breslow
McCaffrey's report contradicts a statement Craig Breslow made at Fenway Fest on January 10. The chief baseball officer said it was "never likely" that Boston would make a trade from its outfield despite the extent of the logjam that will get even worse if Kristian Campbell becomes an outfielder full-time.
Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu have been the subject of many trade rumors over the last few seasons, but they've begun to fizzle out this offseason, probably since the Red Sox have shown no inclination to move either of them. Masataka Yoshida or Campbell could also be trade candidates, but neither contract looks all that desirable to trade suitors given their track records in the big leagues so far.
The Red Sox have coveted a few top infielders in trades this winter, including Ketel Marte, Isaac Paredes and Brendan Donovan. Donovan is left-handed, so he could be the least likely of the potential targets to land in Boston, despite the Red Sox's clear relationship with the Cardinals' new president of baseball operations, Chaim Bloom. The Diamondbacks reportedly wanted Duran in some of their earlier trade discussions and the Astros could also use another outfielder.
Another infield addition seems imminent to truly finish off Boston's roster (besides bullpen needs) before Opening Day. How and when it will come and who may be traded to complete the roster is still anyone's guess, but Red Sox outfielders finally seem to be on the table.