Red Sox Predicted To Sign Another Impact Starting Pitcher

The Boston Red Sox solidified their starting rotation by trading for Sonny Gray on Tuesday. Is another move on the horizon?

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers polled 16 MLB executives on key offseason questions. Asked where the top pitching free agents will land, the Red Sox emerged as a popular answer for one option.

Four executives predicted Boston would sign Ranger Suárez. That ties the four who have the left-handed starter staying with the Philadelphia Phillies as the most popular response.

ESPN released the article on Wednesday morning, but the executives could have sent those predictions before Boston acquired Gray. Or perhaps the Red Sox have another move up their sleeve.

After missing the start of the 2025 season with a back injury, Suárez returned to register a 3.20 ERA in 157 1/3 innings. His combined 7.5 fWAR over the last two seasons is right above Gray for 13th among all starters.

The Red Sox probably have less urgency to sign a top-flight starter after attaining Gray, but the 30-year-old Suárez would offer another reliable hurler in a rotation led by Garrett Crochet. He should also have plenty of suitors.

An executive noted that Zack Wheeler’s thoracic outlet syndrome could motivate the Phillies to bring back Suárez. The Toronto Blue Jays (three), Atlanta Braves (two), and San Francisco Giants (one) also received votes to sign him.

Two executives predicted the Red Sox would sign Dylan Cease, but six have him joining the New York Mets. Although none picked Boston for Framber Valdez, nine have him going to the American League East with the Baltimore Orioles (five) or Blue Jays (four).