The Boston Red Sox have already been active on the trade front this offseason, but it appears that the organization may soon shift gears and more seriously explore the free-agent market as well. Although trades have dominated their early winter maneuvering, the front office has continued to evaluate potential free-agent targets as part of a broader strategy to strengthen both the lineup and overall roster depth heading into next year.
According to reporting from The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey, Boston has expressed varying degrees of interest in several notable position-player options, including Pete Alonso and Bo Bichette, two names who would represent major additions if they became realistically attainable. Those possibilities seem more exploratory than imminent, but the Red Sox have also monitored the market for Eugenio Suárez, a power-hitting corner infielder who split last season between the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks. Suárez is coming off a remarkable offensive showing in 2024, launching 49 home runs across his time with both teams—a reminder of the elite power potential he still brings when healthy and locked in at the plate.
However, despite these external pursuits and evaluations, the organization’s primary focus has not shifted. By most accounts—including McCaffrey’s—Boston’s top priority remains re-signing Alex Bregman, who was one of the team’s most valuable contributors last season after arriving in a major mid-season move. Bringing Bregman back has long been at the top of the Red Sox’s internal wish list, both because of his performance on the field and his impact within the clubhouse. So why, then, is the team examining contingency options such as Suárez?
The answer seems to lie in the cautious, layered approach that chief baseball officer Craig Breslow appears to be applying to the offseason. While the front office would clearly prefer to finalize a new multi-year deal with Bregman and then build outward from there, they also understand the unpredictable nature of free agency. Until Bregman officially signs, Boston must have backup plans ready, and Suárez represents one of the most logical alternatives on the market if negotiations stall or if another team swoops in with a more aggressive offer.
From a strategic standpoint, the Red Sox’s lack of major spending up to this point in the offseason can be read as an indication that they want clarity on Bregman’s situation before committing significant salary elsewhere. Allocating money prematurely could limit the flexibility needed to meet Bregman’s contract expectations. Boston seems intent on avoiding that scenario, and the discipline they have shown so far suggests they may be saving room in the payroll for a large Bregman contract before turning to secondary options like Suárez or exploring other bats who fit their needs.
Beyond his production, Bregman made a strong impression on the team from the moment he arrived last season. He stabilized the middle of the batting order, delivered in high-leverage moments, and continued to display the combination of plate discipline, gap power, and steady defense that has defined his career. But his influence went much deeper. Bregman emerged as a vocal presence in the clubhouse, providing leadership qualities that resonated with both young players and veterans. Coaches attributed part of the team’s improved second-half chemistry to his leadership style and work ethic. For a roster still transitioning under Breslow’s new vision, retaining that presence has added value that goes beyond his slash line.
Suárez, while a strong player in his own right, would primarily be viewed as a bat-first fallback option—someone capable of providing substantial home-run power and potentially replacing a portion of Bregman’s production. But his track record suggests he does not bring the same level of defensive reliability or leadership presence. Still, his potential appeal to Boston is clear: Suárez has long been one of baseball’s more prolific power hitters, and even during his down years, he’s shown the ability to carry a lineup in stretches. His 49 home runs last season were one of the headline stories of the mid-season market, making him one of the most talked-about trade pieces as the deadline approached.
That attention only intensified when Seattle ultimately acquired him in a major swing designed to boost their offense for the stretch run. However, the fit never materialized the way the Mariners hoped. Suárez struggled to find consistency after joining Seattle, and the challenges of playing in T-Mobile Park—widely known as a pitcher-friendly environment—added further complications. His power numbers dipped noticeably after the trade, and the adjustment to a new league, ballpark, and set of expectations seemed to disrupt the rhythm he established earlier in the season. While his raw power remained and he continued to make hard contact, many of the deep fly balls that would have left the yard elsewhere wound up dying at the warning track in Seattle.
That stint seems to be part of the evaluation for teams considering him this winter. On the one hand, Suárez’s production with the Diamondbacks earlier in the year demonstrated that his bat still has the ability to change a lineup. On the other hand, his fading results with Seattle raise fair questions about how well he can sustain that performance in different environments or under playoff-race pressure. The Red Sox, who play in a much more hitter-friendly environment at Fenway Park than Seattle offers, may be one of the teams positioned to maximize his strengths. Still, there is genuine uncertainty about whether the Boston front office views him as anything more than an insurance option.
The broader context of the Red Sox offseason also factors into the calculus. Breslow has been aggressive in exploring the trade market, signaling the organization’s desire to make meaningful upgrades without sacrificing long-term sustainability. Boston has identified several needs—another impact bat, improved defensive consistency on the left side of the infield, and a deeper bullpen chief among them. Securing Bregman would address the most significant of those issues and would allow the team to focus the remainder of its offseason resources on pitching and depth.
If Bregman returns, Boston’s interest in Suárez would likely fade or shift entirely. If Bregman signs elsewhere, Suárez could become a more serious consideration, but even then, he may not be viewed as a one-for-one replacement. The Red Sox might instead look at a combination of adding Suárez and another complementary piece, pursuing a different third baseman via trade, or even reshuffling their infield configuration internally depending on who is available and how the market unfolds.
Ultimately, the situation comes back to the question of timing. The Red Sox are clearly trying to be proactive, but they also recognize that their offseason hinges on a single domino—Alex Bregman. Until that domino falls, moves involving players like Suárez function more as contingency planning than anything concrete. The Red Sox cannot afford to be caught unprepared if negotiations with Bregman reach an impasse, and mapping the market now ensures they have realistic alternatives ready.
Still, the preference inside the organization seems unmistakable. Bregman’s combination of impact, leadership, and clubhouse influence has positioned him as the offseason’s most important decision. Suárez is a capable and powerful fallback, but he does not replicate the full profile that Bregman brings to the table. The Red Sox will continue to explore all options, but the path forward appears clear: secure Bregman first, if possible, then shift to reinforcing the lineup through additional moves. Only if that plan falls through would a free-agent pursuit of Suárez shift from backup plan to legitimate primary option.
