ESPN analyst believes Red Sox 'overpaid' for Ranger Suarez amid $130 million deal

Matt Sullivan

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ESPN analyst believes Red Sox 'overpaid' for Ranger Suarez amid $130 million deal image

The Boston Red Sox made a big free-agent splash after losing Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs. While they didn't go out and add a new third baseman or infielder, they added another pitcher.

Ranger Suarez, formerly with the Philadelphia Phillies, signed a five-year, $130 million contract with the Red Sox this winter. It's a big deal for Suarez, as the lefty lands a $26 million AAV deal to join the very strong Red Sox rotation.

But this $130 million deal for Suarez drew some mild criticism from ESPN analyst David Schoenfield. He believes that this deal for Suarez is an overpay, though he is a fan of the signing despite this belief.

Red Sox 'overpaid' for Ranger Suarez per ESPN

"He's a good pitcher. That's also a lot of money for Ranger Suarez," Schoenfield writes. "... So, that probably makes this contract a slight overpay - which the Red Sox were obviously reluctant to do with Bregman - but that won't matter if Suarez performs."

The Red Sox are bringing Suarez into a strong rotation to pair with Garrett Corchet, and now, he'll help the Red Sox make the postseason and go on a deep run.

Fortunately, Suarez has a 1.48 ERA in the postseason with the Phillies across 11 outings and over 40 innings pitched. He's one of the best postseason pitchers in Major League Baseball history.

While Schoenfield believes that Suarez's $130 million deal is an overpay, thanks in part to the pitchers in his same pay-range showing more consistency year-over-year, he's still a fan of this signing, giving it a "B-" grade.

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There is some risk involved, as the lefty doesn't throw nearly as hard as other pitchers who signed such big deals, with his fastball averaging less than 92 mph this past season, and his back issues over the past few seasons.

But, as Schoenfield noted, if he can perform for the Red Sox as a quality starting pitcher and bring his elite postseason resume to Boston, then this "overpay" would be worth it for the Red Sox.

While there's slightly more risk involved with this signing than some other free agents due to some uncertainty about his health and velocity, this is a signing that could turn into a good one for the Red Sox, even at this high price tag.

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Contributing Writer