Red Sox sign Ranger Suarez. 5 years $130 Million

[Larry Cook]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Maybe they'll trade Bello? 

Realistically, how much demand could there be for bello?? 

[jonnylongfella]

3 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Realistically, how much demand could there be for bello?? 

Team friendly deal for a young and durable pitcher has to be worth something. My gut says they signed Suarez bc they had players (maybe someone like Bello) that teams wanted but they weren’t willing to trade. Maybe this makes them more flexible or even have a specific deal in place. 

[Michigan Adam2]

Is our current best lineup Curran in center, Anthony in left, cedanne at 2b, Mayer at 3rd, and Yoshida at dh?  Seems like our current best balance of O vs D to me, assuming no further trades. 

[Michigan Adam2]

Top 4 pitchers seems pretty set to me assuming health with crochet, Suarez, gray, and bello.  Add several possibilities for the 5th spot and plenty to help fill the pen and this is the best staff in mlb since.....?

[Jean-Sébastien Blouin]

Why did they sign Suarez if it's just to trade Bello? I think our hitter will come from Duran and a prospect.

[jonnylongfella]

2 minutes ago, Jean-Sébastien Blouin said:

Why did they sign Suarez if it's just to trade Bello? I think our hitter will come from Duran and a prospect.

Not saying they will, but it would make sense in the fact that maybe he’s got value to a team (or teams) for players that fill our needs outside of pitching. If his name was coming up often in trade discussions but the weren’t willing to move him, signing Suarez may open that door. 

[Old Red]

1 hour ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Some of these contracts make me shudder too. 😉

Now that Suarez is signed was he the right pitcher to go 5 on? 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

A trade is next, and besides Roman Anthony, the only other player who should be off-limits is Ceddanne Rafaela.

A ballclub built around pitching needs good defense to maximum that strength. Boston led the majors in errors and was one of the worst teams in Defensive Efficiency. The Sox just lost their best infielder, so the last thing they need is to also lose their best outfielder.

Ceddanne robbed dozens of batters of hits, led the AL in assists, and was tops among all MLB outfielders in dWAR. A team with crummy D doesn't trade a guy like that -- or move him to second base. 

MLB Sirius was discussing why they thought Andrew Jones should be in the Hall of Fame. Not only is Jones the career leader in big league history in outfielder Total Zone Runs (second overall to Brooks Robinson), but he actually helped three teammates already get into Cooperstown... tracking down mistake pitches by Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz for over a decade.

 

[a700hitter]

I am concerned about his durability.  It seems that 150 innings is his ceiling.

[JoeBrady]

2 minutes ago, a700hitter said:

I am concerned about his durability.  It seems that 150 innings is his ceiling.

#57 in IPs last year.  Over four years, he is #34 in GS and #33 in IPs.  Depending on the half-full thing, he has only 762 IPs for his career.  Cease has 1,015 IPs and Valdez has 1,081.

[UtahSox]

38 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

A trade is next, and besides Roman Anthony, the only other player who should be off-limits is Ceddanne Rafaela.

A ballclub built around pitching needs good defense to maximum that strength. Boston led the majors in errors and was one of the worst teams in Defensive Efficiency. The Sox just lost their best infielder, so the last thing they need is to also lose their best outfielder.

Ceddanne robbed dozens of batters of hits, led the AL in assists, and was tops among all MLB outfielders in dWAR. A team with crummy D doesn't trade a guy like that -- or move him to second base. 

MLB Sirius was discussing why they thought Andrew Jones should be in the Hall of Fame. Not only is Jones the career leader in big league history in outfielder Total Zone Runs (second overall to Brooks Robinson), but he actually helped three teammates already get into Cooperstown... tracking down mistake pitches by Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz for over a decade.

 

I actually like Duran in Center, and Rafaela had such a frigid finish to 2025 at the plate. Plus I believe CR trade value would be the highest among Duran, Rafaela, Abreu. 
 

I kinda like the idea of running it back with our four outfielders. Making masa the fifth outfielder and looking to trade K Campbell, and/or T. Casas along with some starting pitching, for a 2b or 3b whichever player makes us the best team. My order of preference from the names that have been mentioned.

1. Marte (would have to include either Early/Connolly) but still would do it. 

2. Donavan 

3. Hoerner

4. Parades

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, notin said:

With Bellinger, Bichette, Valdez and Tucker still unsigned, rankings will change…

Yup, but the Yanks probably get Bellinger. Maybe PHI, TOR or LAD gets Bichette, and the Mets get Tucker. The Sox just fall farther behind but maybe don't drop in the precious rankings.

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, Michigan Adam2 said:

Is our current best lineup Curran in center, Anthony in left, cedanne at 2b, Mayer at 3rd, and Yoshida at dh?  Seems like our current best balance of O vs D to me, assuming no further trades. 

For offense, Romy > Rafaela maybe v L & R and Romy > Yoshida & Mayer v LHPs

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Old Red said:

Now that Suarez is signed was he the right pitcher to go 5 on? 

Good question. I often frame the same question around any big signing.

He is 30. That's younger than most FA pitchers.

He's been very good for the last 2 years, but not really that good before. I'm not sure that's a concern.

I very much prefer Suarez at $130M/5 over Cease at $210M/7. He may even outpitch Cease.

I am pretty sure I'll like him more than the Framber contract.

It's hard to compare him to Imai $54M/3 & King $75M/3.

I'm happy with this deal. He'll be 34 in year 5. That should not be too bad.

[Larry Cook]

40 man roster now stands at 41! 
 

goodbye Jovani?? 
 

or a trade?? The dodgers really like abreau and have tons of prospects 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, UtahSox said:

I actually like Duran in Center, and Rafaela had such a frigid finish to 2025 at the plate. Plus I believe CR trade value would be the highest among Duran, Rafaela, Abreu. 
 

I kinda like the idea of running it back with our four outfielders. Making masa the fifth outfielder and looking to trade K Campbell, and/or T. Casas along with some starting pitching, for a 2b or 3b whichever player makes us the best team. My order of preference from the names that have been mentioned.

1. Marte (would have to include either Early/Connolly) but still would do it. 

2. Donavan 

3. Hoerner

4. Parades

 

1 hour ago, UtahSox said:

 Rafaela had such a frigid finish to 2025 at the plate.

You mean his 1.019 OPS over his last 9 games and 36 PAs?

Okay, tiny sample size.

How about .710 last 30 games vs .708 his first 126 games?

[moonslav59]

5 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

40 man roster now stands at 41! 
 

goodbye Jovani?? 
 

or a trade?? The dodgers really like abreau and have tons of prospects 

Jovani is about 3rd or 4th down my list, but he is out of options.

Time for that 2 for 1 trade.

[Larry Cook]

7 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Jovani is about 3rd or 4th down my list, but he is out of options.

Time for that 2 for 1 trade.

Who are your bottom 5 on the 40 man roster? 

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Who are your bottom 5 on the 40 man roster? 

1. Hicks (no options) I doubt we DFA or trade him, though.

2. Eaton (1 option) We will be adding an infielder and we don't need a #7 OF'er.

3. Watson (return as Rule 5) It hurst that he has to stay on the 26.

T4. Moran (0), Uberstine (3) & Drohan (3) I like Moran more, but being out of options hurts the flexibility.

[Duran Is The Man]

one Suarez down, one to go.

[JoeBrady]

1 hour ago, UtahSox said:

Plus I believe CR trade value would be the highest among Duran, Rafaela, Abreu. 

I think I like Ceddanne as much as anyone, and certainly love watching his glove.  But all three of those guys should be on the table.  If you trade Ceddanne, then Duran slides over and RA plays LF.  If you trade Duran, RA plays LF.  If you trade Abreu, then RA plays RF.

I think Duran is the best trade target of the three, but we should be looking at the best overall trade value for any of those guys.  Different teams will have different assessment and different needs.

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I think I like Ceddanne as much as anyone, and certainly love watching his glove.  But all three of those guys should be on the table.  If you trade Ceddanne, then Duran slides over and RA plays LF.  If you trade Duran, RA plays LF.  If you trade Abreu, then RA plays RF.

I think Duran is the best trade target of the three, but we should be looking at the best overall trade value for any of those guys.  Different teams will have different assessment and different needs.

Exactly. I happen to like Abreu and Rafaela, because they play great D in very difficult positions at Fenway. Since Anthony is as close to untouchable as I'll ever go, it seems Duran is the odd man out. His BTV values is 2nd to Anthony. His D is the worst. His AAV is second to Anthony. He's also the shortest controlled OF'er of the 4 (5, if you count Campbell.)

I'm not for handing Duran away or trading him just for the sake of making a deal. I think he's a damn good player and many teams want him. They should give us a lot of value back, otherwise, he's my DH/4th OF'er.

[Larry Cook]

Someone recommended Duran and Tolle for Marte and an Arizona top  15 prospect !!! 
I cannot see it. What do you think??? 

[moonslav59]

25 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Someone recommended Duran and Tolle for Marte and an Arizona top  15 prospect !!! 
I cannot see it. What do you think??? 

I'm not sure who that prospect is, but I think we should be able to get KMarte for Duran and someone(s) not named Anthony, Mayer, Tolle, Early and Rafaela.

I might think about Mayer and Duran, but then we'd need Suarez or Vientos/Bohm/____ for 3B.

How about Duran, Mayer and Hicks for KMarte? BTV says minor overpay by Sox.

They also accept Yoshida instead of Hicks. (I don't think AZ wants to spend, but they actually save money on these deals.)

[JoeBrady]

15 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Someone recommended Duran and Tolle for Marte and an Arizona top  15 prospect !!! 
I cannot see it. What do you think??? 

I'm not in love with the BTV Marte valuation.  Duran had a higher bWAR last year, over the past two years, and almost the same over the past three years.  If he repeats his 4.7 for 3 years, that's 14.1 bWAR, for maybe $52M.  Even if Marte does not decline at age 32-34, he gives us 13.6 for $47M.  That's all good, especially since he fits so well.

But then we are on the hook for $44M/2 for ages 35-36, with a player option for $11.5M at age 37.  In a vacuum, I'd rather have Duran than Marte.  I can deal, but wouldn't add in anything extra.

[UtahSox]

3 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

 

You mean his 1.019 OPS over his last 9 games and 36 PAs?

Okay, tiny sample size.

How about .710 last 30 games vs .708 his first 126 games?

You mean a simple google search of “Ceddane Rafaela post 2025 all star game stats” and it definitely shows why I would say frigid. I mean a .622 OPS w/ only 2 HR’s and a .219 avg is not great for a centerfielder.

also he got 0 hits in wild card series with .167 OBP. 

AI recap:

After the 2025 All-Star break, Ceddanne Rafaela's performance dipped, seeing his OPS drop from .752 to .622, with fewer homers and more strikeouts as he tired, but he still finished strong defensively, earning a Gold Glove and playing mostly center field, focusing on strength gains for future seasons. 

Batting Performance (Second Half vs. First Half of 2025)

• First Half (Before All-Star Break): .752 OPS, 14 HR, 18.8% Strikeout Rate.
• Second Half (August/September): .622 OPS, 2 HR, 22.2% Strikeout Rate, showing fatigue. 

Post-All-Star Break (2025 Season Snapshot):

Batting Average: Around .219 (16-for-73 in one span).

Power: Hit his career-high 16th home run in August, but overall power dipped.

Offensive Trend: A drop to a .622 OPS from August to September, down from his pre-break .752 OPS.

Defense: Continued strong defense, filling in at second base due to injuries, showing his versatility.

Key Issue: Fatigue led to his late-season struggles, prompting a focus on getting stronger in the offseason. 
 

 

[harmony]

Over the past four seasons Ranger Suarez posted an ERA+ of 117 and 12.1 bWAR in 588.1 innings while over the same period Sonny Gray posted an ERA+ of 117 and 11.3 bWAR in 650.2 innings.

Suarez overtook Gray with a 4.7-to-1.4 bWAR edge in 2025. The 30-year-old Suarez and the 36-year-old Gray may be trending in different directions.

Or not.

[Randy Red Sox]

8 hours ago, Hitch said:

Same. I thought we might get another pitcher, but I didn't see it being a big FA signing. 

Not a Bres usual type, either. Lots of good numbers under the hood and his Post Season numbers are insane. 

I can't help but feel a trade of Bello, Sandoval (though I don't think he has much value), or another is on the cards for infield help. I don't think Duran is going anywhere now. 

Lots of options on the table though, and our rotation is absolutely beastish with depth, too.

Thank Christ the whining about not signing a FA can stop now, too.

 

 

FO apologist strikes again. 

[Randy Red Sox]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm not sure who that prospect is, but I think we should be able to get KMarte for Duran and someone(s) not named Anthony, Mayer, Tolle, Early and Rafaela.

I might think about Mayer and Duran, but then we'd need Suarez or Vientos/Bohm/____ for 3B.

How about Duran, Mayer and Hicks for KMarte? BTV says minor overpay by Sox.

They also accept Yoshida instead of Hicks. (I don't think AZ wants to spend, but they actually save money on these deals.)

no thanks.  big overpay

[Hitch]

1 hour ago, Randy Red Sox said:

FO apologist strikes again. 

Do let us know what the Bastards of Boston Baseball are telling us we should be angry at next, won't you?