Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs At 8:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, the Boston Red Sox were scheduled to hold hold a press conference announcing that their signing of two-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman has become official.The signing appears to top off what has been deemed an “A-plus” offseason for the Red Sox, who also boast the acquisitions of former Chicago White Sox lefty ace Garrett Crochet, Los Angeles Dodgers World Series mound hero Walker Buehler, and flame-throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman.But even as spring training gets underway, the Red Sox might not be done yet. Their closer of the past two seasons, future Hall of Famer Kenley Jansen, is gone as a free agent and will pitch for the Los Angeles Angels in 2025.Now, some Red Sox commentators are urging Boston to replace Jansen with a trade for an All-Star closer who saved 36 games in 42 chances last season.
PEORIA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 23: Pitcher Robert Suarez #75 of the San Diego Padres poses for a portrait during MLB photo day at the Peoria Sports Complex on February 23, 2023 in Peoria, Arizona.
PEORIA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 23: Pitcher Robert Suarez #75 of the San Diego Padres poses for a portrait during MLB photo day at the Peoria Sports Complex on February 23, 2023 in Peoria, Arizona.
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“To put a perfect bow on the offseason, Boston should go out and trade for San Diego Padres closer Robert Suárez,” wrote Jackson Roberts of SI.com on Thursday. “He’s one of the hardest throwers in the sport, and entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, the Padres should be motivated to move him.”According to Roberts, the Padres are struggling to stay below the Competitive Balance (aka “luxury”) Tax threshold, and shedding the $10 million they would owe Suárez for 2025 would help keep them in the safe zone. As a result, the proposed trade “shouldn’t cost the Red Sox much in terms of prospect capital,” because San Diego’s main motivation for the deal would be shift the closer’s salary off their balance sheet and on to Boston’s.More MLB: Yankees Writer Claims Alex Bregman Proves ‘Sucker’ Red Sox ‘Lost Their Minds’And then on Saturday, Cody Williams of Fansided proposed a blockbuster deal that would land the Red Sox not only Suárez but Cy Young candidate Dylan Cease (the 28-year-old placed fourth in the National League award voting last year).In a survey of 32 MLB executives conducted by The Athletic, Cease was named the player most likely to be traded this spring.Under Williams’ proposal, the Red Sox would send San Diego two major leaguers in starting pitcher Kutter Crawford and Gold Glove outfielder Wilyer Abreu, who placed sixth in American League 2024 Rookie of the Year balloting.The package would also include two highly ranked prospects: outfielder Miguel Bleis, the Red Sox organization’s No. 6 prospect, and No. 30 Dorian Soto, a shortstop.That would be a hefty price for Boston, but it would give it an intimidating starting rotation of Crochet, Cease, Buehler, 2024 All-Star Tanner Houck, and either Lucas Giolito or Brayan Bello — as well as one of MLB’s most dominant closers. That would immediately make the Boston pitching staff one of baseball’s deepest and best, if both the Red Sox and Padres were willing to execute the still-hypothetical trade.More MLB: Red Sox Urged to Sign $7.1 Million Free Agent Reliever as ‘Obvious Final Piece’
