It took losing Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs for the Boston Red Sox to sign their first free agent of the winter. After their early pitching trades, many fans expected it to be a bat.
Instead, Boston brought in longtime Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, Ranger Suárez on a five-year, $130 million deal. Suárez is the No. 2 starter the Red Sox claimed to be coveting when they traded for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo.
Now, the Sox's rotation is more stacked than ever while the offense still lacks consistency and thump. Suárez's $130 million deal will limit the Red Sox in free agency (although it shouldn't, given how much money Fenway Sports Group has), but he brings more long-term depth to an already deep rotation, which could allow Boston to take to the trade market to fill its offensive needs.