Unlike many other teams, the Boston Red Sox have worked quietly during this offseason, making moves that are poised to bear significant fruit in 2026 MLB season. In fact, one could argue they’re executing their free-agent signings and player acquisitions more effectively than their divisional rivals and arch-enemies, the New York Yankees.
Just look at their latest addition on Wednesday: they’ve bolstered their starting rotation with a pitcher who performed exceptionally well when called upon for the Philadelphia Phillies. Left-hander Ranger Suárez has agreed to a five-year, $130 million contract with the Red Sox (AAV of $26 million, no deferrals reported).
A revamped rotation that strikes fear in the AL East
The 30-year-old southpaw joins recent arrivals like Sonny Gray (acquired via trade from the St. Louis Cardinals) and Johan Oviedo (from the Pittsburgh Pirates), forming a very solid rotation behind 2025 AL Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet (who posted an elite 2.59 ERA last season).
The projected 2026 Opening Day rotation looks formidable:
- Garrett Crochet (ace LHP)
- Ranger Suárez (LHP co-ace)
- Sonny Gray (veteran RHP)
- Brayan Bello (homegrown RHP)
- Johan Oviedo (RHP depth)
With additional options like Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval (returning from injury), and young arms Connelly Early and Payton Tolle, Boston boasts one of the deepest pitching staffs in MLB-potentially the best rotation in the AL East.
Despite this exciting pitching upgrade, the Red Sox still need to address their offense after losing star third baseman Alex Bregman, who signed a five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs instead of returning to Boston. That leaves a major void at third base and raises questions about power production in the lineup.
They’ll also need to consider trade candidates to further reinforce the roster. This is where one of the Red Sox’s most valuable starters enters the conversation.
Could Brayan Bello be traded from the Red Sox?
Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic suggested the possibility of moving Brayan Bello as he enters the third year of his six-year, $55 million extension (he’s set to make roughly $9 million in 2026).
“While the Red Sox like Bello, the upside of Early and Tolle may be more enticing. Bello has yet to reach his ceiling with the club and is set to make roughly $9 million in 2026,” McCaffrey wrote.
“As it currently stands with Suárez’s $26 million average annual salary, the Red Sox payroll has pushed past the second MLB luxury tax threshold of $264 million to roughly $270 million. Trading Bello could bring the team just under that mark, though any incoming salary would still factor in.”
Bello posted a career-best 3.35 ERA in 2025 (11-9 record over 166.2 innings pitched), but manager Alex Cora‘s quick hook in a playoff game-pulling him after just 28 pitches-highlighted lingering concerns about trusting the 26-year-old as a long-term rotation anchor.
The big question now: what type of impact hitters or position players could Boston acquire if they place Bello on the trade block? With young pitching depth emerging, Bello’s team-friendly contract and experience could net a middle-of-the-order bat or a key infield or outfield upgrade to help offset the Bregman departure.
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