Welcome again to the 2025-26 version of Smash or Pass, wherein we study potential free agent and commerce targets to find out whether or not the Purple Sox ought to pursue them and what it could take to land them. At present we take a look at somebody who might create that vaunted “tremendous pen.”
With Sonny Grey within the fold, many in Purple Sox Nation are questioning if he’s the quantity two starter Craig Breslow had prioritized coming into the offseason. If he’s the large rotation improve, effectively, that’s OK however not what many pictured when the Sox talked about somebody who might “pitch alongside” Garrett Crochet. Because the entrance workplace, maybe, turns in the direction of different areas to strengthen the 2026 staff, the infield and bullpen are the locations to look subsequent. When you’re into free company, there are a number of massive names on the high. A kind of is Robert Suarez.
Who’s he and the place does he come from?
Suarez is a 34-year-old righty out of Venezuela who made his skilled debut a decade in the past in Mexico. Then, from 2016 via 2021, he pitched in Japan for a number of groups earlier than making the journey to america to affix the San Diego Padres. All collectively Suarez spent 6 years pitching in international leagues of various ranges and with completely different groups. Over 330 innings — most of which have been in Japan — Suarez put up a 2.80 ERA with 324 strikeouts towards simply 94 walks. And all of his appearances got here out of the bullpen.
Suarez is primarily a fastball pitcher, tossing his four-seamer about 60% of the time, backed up by a changeup, and a sinker. The fastball is quick, coming in to batters at about 99 MPH. Whereas he has thrown the changeup and sinker sufficient to maintain hitters sincere, it’s all in regards to the fastball. The batting common towards on that providing was, at greatest, within the low .200s throughout his time in San Diego. He’s about 60-40 flyball to groundball.
That is a straightforward “sure.” Within the majors he’s tossed 210 innings with 219 Ks, 63 BBs, and an ERA/FIP of two.91/3.36. Plus 77 saves with all however 1 of these coming over the past two seasons. Fastaball at about 99. Changeup (changeup!) at 90.
TLDR; simply give me his 2025 stats.
ERA/FIP: 2.97/2.88 (sure these are proper he was anticipated to be a tad higher!)
Why would he be a superb match on the Purple Sox?
If Sonny Grey is the quantity two, then the rotation is stable with Crochet, Grey, Bello, and Patrick Sandoval/Kutter Crawford/Payton Tolle/Connelly Early/Cooper Criswell filling out the ultimate two spots over six months. Nevertheless it received’t be anticipated to be a rotation that goes deep into video games. And the innings invoice should be paid. If not on the entrance of the sport than the again. Together with his age-35 season arising in 2026, a gaudy save whole isn’t what he must get “the following contract.” This contract could possibly be the final of his MLB profession. Somebody with the flexibility to essentially give Whitlock and Chapman an evening off? That’s precious. What number of video games in 2025 have been misplaced as a result of these two wanted a breather on the identical day?
And whereas Chapman’s lefthanded, the Sox did signal a veteran, nearer kind who throws a tough fastball final season and he had the most effective seasons of his profession. If Andrew Bailey and Connor Wong can work that magic once more the 7-8-9 choices can be amazingly sturdy. The youth within the rotation can be balanced out a bit by the amount of mid-to-late 30s accessible to shut, so there may be some threat.
Why wouldn’t he be a superb match on the Purple Sox?
Today the reply is at all times cash. Suarez opted out of two/$16 to stick with the Padres. How far more would he be in search of in years and {dollars}? MLBTR thinks 3/$48 or about $16 million per season. Chapman can be making a tad over $13 million in order that’s wealthy for John Henry’s blood, particularly once we’re speaking about previous gamers.
Present me a cool spotlight.
However I’ll make up for a steal at your expense with a pleasant play.
There’s loads to love right here. However I’m going to say move. One other massive bullpen arm can be good, but when there’s a very mounted funds, then that’s cash that could possibly be spent higher on upgrading the infield. And with some promising younger arms on the farm, perhaps the Sox can discover lightning in a bottle shifting a man to the ‘pen who finally ends up slicing via opposing lineups simply in addition to Suarez.
