MLB's offseason has reached its final weeks before players are slated to report to spring training and the Boston Red Sox still have work to do with their roster. They still need a reliever to replenish some of their losses from the offseason, but an infielder remains at the top of everyone's minds.
Until February 1, Eugenio Suárez seemed like a contender. He's a veteran third baseman, which the Red Sox could've used after losing Alex Bregman, and he hits enough home runs to go around. But he signed a one-year reunion deal with the Cincinnati Reds for $15 million, dashing Boston fans' hopes of a 50-home run season on the team next year.
After Suárez signed with the Reds, reports emerged that the Red Sox weren't a big player in his market. Boston didn't even make him an offer before he decided to head back to the National League Central.
After freeing up Jordan Hicks' money by trading him to the Chicago White Sox earlier that afternoon, the Red Sox easily could've approached Suárez with a comparable $15 million per year offer to play in front of the Green Monster on a playoff contender. Boston's refusal to even make an offer to Suárez shows an uncomfortable willingness to enter the 2026 season with a roster all too similar to last year's.
Red Sox not making an offer to Eugenio Suárez shows they're too comfortable running it back this season
Adding home run power clearly wasn't that high a priority for the Sox this winter, despite the front office's assertions. Not only did they pass on an offer to Suárez, the last remaining free agent slugger, they also didn't make an offer to Kyle Schwarber, and they lowballed Pete Alonso, claiming they had a problem with his age.
Sure, Craig Breslow can still scour the trade market for offensive additions, but at this stage in the winter, there's no guarantee anyone will trade. Ketel Marte was the best all-around infield option on the trade market and he would've settled Boston's yearslong inconsistency at second base. He's been pulled from the market, however, as the Arizona Diamondbacks look forward to finishing their roster before camp.
The Chicago Cubs have reportedly listened on Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw, but the price for either will be massive. After the many trades they've already made, it could be a hit the Red Sox can't afford to take.
Some MLB insiders have already hinted at a frightening infield plan if the Red Sox decide to stand pat — Marcelo Mayer will be their third baseman while Romy Gonzalez and David Hamilton would platoon at second base. Such an outcome should be unacceptable after the front office's outspoken desire to add impact bats and after Hamilton's disastrous 2025 season at the plate (.198/.257/.333 slash line in 91 games).
After Bregman signed, there were no perfect free agent or trade options for the Red Sox. Suárez was the last veteran slugger available, and the best choice they could make without sacrificing prospect talent and just spending money from John Henry's endless stash. There was no need for the Red Sox to run it back with a similar roster for next season, but they shot themselves in the foot at every turn by refusing to make an offer to Suárez or any of the other sluggers — they didn't even try to compete.