Welcome again to the 2025-26 version of Smash or Pass, through which we study potential free agent and commerce targets to find out whether or not the Purple Sox ought to pursue them and what it might take to land them. As we speak we have a look at somebody who may exchange Alex Bregman’s bat on shorter years.
Who’s he and the place does he come from?
Eugenio Suárez is a 34-year-old third baseman from Venezuela who has performed for the Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Seattle Mariners. Over his twelve-year profession he’s slashed .246/.328/.464 (a .792 OPS) and averaged 32 dwelling runs a season. He was the seventh-most worthwhile third baseman by bWAR at 3.6, tied with Max Muncy. As a result of he was traded mid-year there is no such thing as a qualifying supply compensation connected to signing him. Plus one to the Sox there.
Nicely, he’s spent greater than a decade within the majors so the reply here’s a very sturdy “he has been good” however is now a free agent at 34 searching for a multi-year deal. He has had ups and downs in his profession, after all. Throughout his run from 2017-2019 he posted a .271/.364/.521 line averaging almost a .900 OPS and 36 homers per season. He was 25, 26, and 27 for these seasons, proper on the conventional MLB peak on the getting older curve. And whereas he has put up .229/.312/.456 since then with 30 dwelling runs a season, that’s a really strong participant, though nonetheless a step again.
Suárez can also’t be evaluated in a vacuum as a result of his place is one which was spoken for in 2025 by one other veteran: Alex Bregman. Each of the playing cards from Statcast present good gamers. Above common hitting. One has a excessive barrel % and one doesn’t. One squared up the ball and one didn’t. Their exit velocity is about the identical. The highest card belongs to Suárez and the underside card to Bregman.
TL;DR, simply give me his 2025 stats.
In 159 video games Suárez hit .228/.298/.526 with 49 dwelling runs. Not like fellow traded participant to the Mariners Josh Naylor, he stole simply 4 bases in 2025.
Why would he be an excellent match on the Purple Sox?
Why wouldn’t he be an excellent match on the Purple Sox?
Suárez isn’t an excellent defender as of late, which could be OK if a transfer to first base is in his future ought to the resign Alex Bregman or Triston Casas is harm once more. So long as Masataka Yoshida is on the workforce, the at-bats at DH are restricted. He’s 34 and looking out for lots of years (probably) whereas even Bregman is a little bit youthful and Marcello Mayer may find yourself at third as he develops. There’s a lot to think about.
Present me a cool spotlight.
How about some playoff heroics?
It is a certified smash. Whilst a Bregman skeptic, Alex Bregman might be the higher alternative right here for third base. Nonetheless, the Purple Sox shouldn’t let Bregman (and Boras) decide the offseason. If Geno is basically looking for one thing for ages 35-37 (MLBTR tasks 3 years, $63 million) and Bregman needs 6 years it’s exhausting to say Bregman might be higher for six seasons than Suárez for 3. And if Bregman is ready and the Sox want a large bat then by all means kick the tires right here.
They dedicated $80 million to Bregman for the subsequent two years and if they’ll save a few of that potential outlay so as to add Suárez, settle third base for at the very least 2026, and have some wiggle room on that #2 starter or a 3rd large arm within the bullpen? Carry Geno Time to Fenway Park.
