Red Sox Could Finally Land Top Free Agent as Price Projected to Plunge

“Running parallel to all of that is what seems to be a slow market for Suárez, who isn’t a great defender and strikes out too often but did mash 49 homers last year,” Cotillo wrote. “A rival agent speculated this week that he thinks Suárez’s deal is going to come in much lower than initial projections suggested, meaning the Red Sox might see the value in getting the slugger on a very palatable deal.”

As usual, Suárez did not hit for a high average last year. He racked up more than four times as many strikeouts as walks yet was one of the top sluggers across the MLB. The two-time All-Star ended the year with a .228/.298/.526 slash line, along with 49 home runs, 118 RBIs, and a 126 OPS+.

Red Sox Insider Claims Cubs Infielder is Best Fit to Fill Vacant 3B Role

After failing to re-sign Alex Bregman, the Boston Red Sox have a vacancy in the infield. Eugenio Suárez, Nico Hoerner, Brandon Donovan, and Isaac Paredes were all linked with a move to Fenway Park at some point this offseason. However, Red Sox insider Rob Bradford of WEEI feels none of these opinions actually fulfill the requirements of the team. He believes Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw will be a better fit.

“Brendan Donovan, not a great fit. Will cost you a lot. Nico Hoerner, fine, one-year, though. Will cost you a lot, well a ton,” Bradford said. “I look at Matt Shaw, this kid from the Cubs. The pride of Northfield Mount Hermon and had a great second half last year. 24 years old. Doesn’t have a logical place to play in the Cubs. Yes, will he cost a Payton Tolle or a Connelly Early-level guy? Yeah, probably. But if you’re talking about a right-handed, power-hitting third baseman who can field the ball, that’s the type of guy you have to get.

“Listen, as much as he doesn’t have a place to play right now, Nico Hoerner is a free agent after next year. So, it’s like you’re going to have to fill in that gap. And, by the way, he was a first-round pick, a top prospect. A guy who in the second half of last year actually showed why he’s a first-round pick and top prospect. He can be a valuable, valuable guy.”

Shaw was the first-round selection for the Cubs at the 2023 MLB Draft and the 13th overall. The 24-year-old third baseman made his big-league debut last season after making the Opening Day roster. He ended his rookie campaign with 3.1 bWAR over 126 games for Chicago, while posting a .226/.295/.394 slash line with 21 doubles, 14 home runs, 17 stolen bases, and a 98 OPS+. The Red Sox still have room for improvement, and they need to start by getting a veteran third baseman.