The Boston Red Sox seem to be casting a wide net for anyone capable of manning first or third base this offseason, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for infield reinforcements.
Perennial targets like Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami continue to linger on Boston’s radar, while Pete Alonso was a hot favorite until he inked a deal with the division-rival Baltimore Orioles. Even Ketel Marte, versatile enough to handle second base and potentially shift Marcelo Mayer to third, remains a buzzworthy name in Red Sox circles.
Of course, the dream scenario for Boston would be to lock in Alex Bregman as their third baseman for the next five years, no matter the price tag. Despite worries over a lingering quad injury that hampered him in the latter half of 2025, Bregman’s leadership qualities and elite skill set make him a prime candidate to become a cornerstone of Boston sports.
But Bregman isn’t just Boston’s darling—multiple teams are vying for the third-base star, and with recent free-agent deals like Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber eclipsing $150 million over five years, Bregman’s contract could soar even higher.
With that in mind, the Red Sox are wisely exploring backup plans in case Bregman heads elsewhere. And in a stunning development, Tim Healey and Alex Speier of *The Boston Globe* report that Boston has reignited discussions with power-hitting veteran Eugenio Suárez.
The Globe duo revealed: “Eugenio Suárez is another free agent with whom the Red Sox have been in touch regularly, a source said. Suárez, 34, is a third baseman who may move to first, both positions of need for the Sox.”
This isn’t uncharted territory for Boston—they previously eyed Suárez at the trade deadline, with plans to transition him to first base.
Suárez remains a solid defender at third, boasting 14 Outs Above Average from 2023-2024. However, his range showed signs of decline in 2025, making a shift to first base an appealing option. That move could pave the way for top prospect Marcelo Mayer to showcase his Gold Glove-caliber defense at the hot corner.
At the plate, the 34-year-old is a right-handed masher, fresh off his second career 49-home-run season. He dominated the first half with the Arizona Diamondbacks, earning All-Star honors with a scorching .248/.320/.576 slash line, 36 homers, and a stellar 141 wRC+.
His production dipped after a midseason trade to the Seattle Mariners (.189/.255/.428, 91 wRC+), but he still launched 13 more homers, plus three in the postseason during Seattle’s ALCS push. With a career pull rate of 46.5%—and over 50% in each of the last two years—Suárez is tailor-made for Fenway Park, where he could feast on the Green Monster in 81 home games.
This pursuit checks all the boxes for Boston: a proven slugger who fits their needs without the astronomical cost of a Bregman deal. While he might not be an exact replica, Suárez is anything but a mere fallback—he’s a legitimate game-changer ready to bring the thunder to Beantown.
