Welcome back to the 2025-26 edition of Smash or Pass, in which we examine potential free agent and trade targets to determine whether the Red Sox should pursue them and what it would take to land them. Today we look at someone who could replace Alex Bregman’s bat on shorter years.

Who is he and where does he come from?

Eugenio Suárez is a 34-year-old third baseman from Venezuela who has played for the Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Seattle Mariners. Over his twelve-year career he’s slashed .246/.328/.464 (a .792 OPS) and averaged 32 home runs a season. He was the seventh-most valuable third baseman by bWAR at 3.6, tied with Max Muncy. Because he was traded mid-year there is no qualifying offer compensation attached to signing him. Plus one to the Sox there.

Well, he’s spent more than a decade in the majors so the answer here is a very strong “he has been good” but is now a free agent at 34 looking for a multi-year deal. He has had ups and downs in his career, of course. During his run from 2017-2019 he posted a .271/.364/.521 line averaging nearly a .900 OPS and 36 homers per season. He was 25, 26, and 27 for those seasons, right at the traditional MLB peak on the aging curve. And while he has put up .229/.312/.456 since then with 30 home runs a season, that’s a very solid player, although still a step back.

Suárez also can’t be evaluated in a vacuum because his position is one that was spoken for in 2025 by another veteran: Alex Bregman. Both of the cards from Statcast show good players. Above average hitting. One has a high barrel % and one doesn’t. One squared up the ball and one didn’t. Their exit velocity is about the same. The top card belongs to Suárez and the bottom card to Bregman.

TL;DR, just give me his 2025 stats.

In 159 games Suárez hit .228/.298/.526 with 49 home runs. Unlike fellow traded player to the Mariners Josh Naylor, he stole just 4 bases in 2025.

Why would he be a good fit on the Red Sox?

Why wouldn’t he be a good fit on the Red Sox?

Suárez isn’t a great defender these days, which can be OK if a move to first base is in his future should the resign Alex Bregman or Triston Casas is hurt again. As long as Masataka Yoshida is on the team, the at-bats at DH are limited. He’s 34 and looking for a lot of years (potentially) while even Bregman is a little younger and Marcello Mayer might end up at third as he develops. There is a lot to consider.

Show me a cool highlight.

How about some playoff heroics?

This is a qualified smash. Even as a Bregman skeptic, Alex Bregman could be the better choice here for third base. However, the Red Sox shouldn’t let Bregman (and Boras) determine the offseason. If Geno is really seeking something for ages 35-37 (MLBTR projects 3 years, $63 million) and Bregman wants 6 years it’s hard to say Bregman will be better for six seasons than Suárez for three. And if Bregman is waiting and the Sox need a big bat then by all means kick the tires here.

They committed $80 million to Bregman for the next two years and if they can save some of that potential outlay to add Suárez, settle third base for at least 2026, and have some wiggle room on that #2 starter or a third big arm in the bullpen? Bring Geno Time to Fenway Park.