SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 07: Eugenio Suarez #28 of the Seattle Mariners looks on from the dugout during the game against the Chicago White Sox at T-Mobile Park on September 07, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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The Boston Red Sox have stayed away from the free agent market so far this winter, but they have made some big changes via trade.
After cutting ties with franchise slugger Rafael Devers and then surging into the playoffs last year, the team has shown clear interest in fortifying its roster via transactions with other teams, though they might have some more work to do if they want to build on last season’s success.
“They are the only team not to sign a major league free agent, yes, but they did get Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo via trade,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote of the Red Sox. “It’s not enough, though. Not in the AL East, let alone the entire landscape of the game.”
Boston Red Sox’s Willson Contreras On Recruiting Eugenio Suarez To Replace Alex Bregman
Most notably, the Red Sox have an infield spot to fill after veteran third baseman Alex Bregman left for a new contract from the Chicago Cubs. And it seems like one of their new trade additions could help out there, as Contreras promised to start recruiting third base slugger Eugenio Suarez to come join him at Fenway.
“We’re friends and he is one of my best friends around,” Contreras said of Suarez during an introductory press conference, according to MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “He’s a great guy, great hitter. But we’ll see what we can do about him for coming to Boston.”
Contreras offered a clear four-word response when asked if he had tried to recruit Suarez to the Red Sox:
“We are really close,” Contreras said, per Smith.
Contreras’ answer seemed to hint that he has either already done some recruiting or that it would soon take place. And the Red Sox could certainly use extra power in the lineup.
Eugenio Suarez Could Cost Boston Red Sox $30 Million
Suarez demonstrated some swing-and-miss issues last season, but he earned an All-Star nod en route to a 49 home run season with a .526 slugging percentage. He started out the year with the Arizona Diamondbacks before being traded to the Seattle Mariners, where he helped propel a run all the way to the American League Championship Series.
Now Suarez is a free agent who is in line for a $30 million contract, according to Spotrac. That could be a reasonable price for the Red Sox to pay, even as they have taken on some additional salary with their trade additions. Contreras is earning $18 million this year, then $17 million in 2027 after signing a five-year, $87.5 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.