The Boston Red Sox are expected to contend for a playoff spot in 2025 and could benefit from adding another late-inning reliever.
MLB analyst Zach Pressnell of FanSided proposed a trade in which the Red Sox would acquire Robert Suarez from the San Diego Padres in a four-player deal.
Red Sox receive:
- Robert Suarez
Padres receive:
- Yoeilin Cespedes
- Miguel Bleis
- Hunter Dobbins
The proposed trade would be significant, with the Red Sox getting Suarez, who could step in as their closer, in exchange for three prospects.
Suarez, who signed a five-year, $46 million contract with the Padres, has an opt-out after the 2025 season, which he is expected to exercise. He could compete for the closer role in Boston. In 2024, Suarez posted a 9-3 record with a 2.77 ERA over 65 games, converting 36 of 42 save opportunities.
In return, the Red Sox would send Cespedes, a middle infielder ranked seventh in the team’s prospect rankings. The 19-year-old played in rookie ball in 2024, hitting .319 with 5 home runs and 24 RBIs.
Bleis, a 21-year-old outfielder ranked 12th in the Red Sox system, would also be part of the trade. He signed in 2021 and reached A-level ball in 2024, hitting .221 with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs between A+ and A.
Lastly, the Red Sox would trade Dobbins, a right-handed pitcher ranked 13th among their prospects. Drafted in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Dobbins reached AAA in 2024, going 8-5 with a 3.08 ERA in 25 starts.
Analyst Explains Why Red Sox Might “Overpay” for Suarez Pressnell argues that while the trade might seem like an overpay, the Padres have significant leverage, and the Red Sox are in desperate need of a closer. Since the Padres don’t have to trade Suarez, acquiring him would require a substantial offer, and the Red Sox can afford to give up these prospects.
Despite the overpay, Pressnell believes acquiring Suarez could significantly improve the Red Sox’s chances of winning the World Series.
“Boston would secure the star closer it needs. While Suarez will be a free agent after the season, there’s no reason the Red Sox couldn’t re-sign him in the offseason,” Pressnell said. “The flamethrower would be a key addition to the puzzle Boston is building to compete for an AL Pennant and a World Series title.”
Competition for Closer Role Liam Hendriks and Aroldis Chapman are both competing for the Red Sox’s closer role.
Red Sox Manager’s Closer Decision Boston manager Alex Cora has yet to name a closer and suggested the role could be handled by a committee. Both Hendriks and Chapman have been pitching well, with Cora saying one of them will close games, but he isn’t yet sure who that will be.
“They’re throwing the ball well,” Cora said. “Liam took a step forward yesterday; we saw that. Chappy has been throwing the ball well, Slaten has been throwing the ball well. Hopefully, we have the lead in the ninth in the first game of the season, and somebody will come in and get that save, and we go from there.”
The Red Sox will open the 2025 season on the road against the Texas Rangers on March 27.
