After the Boston Red Sox lost Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs. the front office didn't rule out a return to the pitching market to triple-down on run prevention. Then, it worked quickly — Boston is no longer the only team that hasn't signed a major league free agent this winter.
The Red Sox have signed longtime Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez, first reported by MLB insider Jon Heyman. Fellow insider Ken Rosenthal reported soon after that the deal is for five years at $130 million. The deal contains no opt-outs.
The first reports that "some" people within the Red Sox organization were high on Suárez came out just hours before the acquisition. There were also rumors that Boston would return to the trade market to find another pitcher, but given how many trades it's already made this winter, signing a free agent was the best option.
Suárez has been remarkably consistent on the mound during his eight years in Philadelphia and he's a true No. 2 starter to back up Garrett Crochet. He's posted an 3.38 ERA, a 1.270 WHIP, 705 strikeouts and 240 walks over 762 innings in his career.
Red Sox sign longtime Phillies lefty Ranger Suárez to five-year, $130 million deal
The veteran also has four-straight years of postseason pitching experience, as the Phillies have turned in to a perennial contender in the National League after their surprise run to the World Series in 2022. He's logged a 1.48 ERA over 42.2 postseason innings with Philly.
Suárez doesn't rack up strikeouts like recent pitchers the Sox have targeted, but he limits walks well. He posted an 86th percentile walk rate in 2025. The lefty keeps the ball on the groud and gives up mostly soft contact, which will help limit damage inside the hitter-friendly confines of Fenway Park.
Suárez is fresh off a productive 2025 with the Phillies. He clocked a 3.20 ERA, a 137 ERA+, a 1.220 WHIP, 151 strikeouts and 38 walks over 157.1 frames.
The Red Sox may have to make some more trades to move pitching depth after the Suárez signing. Crochet, Suárez, Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo and either Brayan Bello or Kutter Crawford are the most likely to earn rotation spots, but that still leaves the Red Sox with Patrick Sandoval, Kyle Harrison and top prospects Payton Tolle, Connelly Early and David Sandlin who still may need big league jobs. Tolle, Early and Sandlin could easily spend the whole season in Triple-A if the Sox's rotation stays healthy, but one of them could also be moved to add a bat to make up for losing Bregman.