The Boston Red Sox just got a whole lot more interesting! With the recent signing of Ranger Suárez, the team not only gains a stellar veteran pitcher but also boosts their presence in MLB Network's Top 100 player rankings. But how high did Suárez climb? Let's dive in.
MLB Network recently unveiled players ranked from 61st to 80th, and the news is good for Red Sox fans. Suárez, who just inked a five-year, $130 million deal, made the cut at a respectable No. 79. Considering he wasn't even on the list last year, that's quite an achievement!
He's positioned just ahead of free-agent Framber Valdez and six spots behind Joe Ryan, a player Boston was reportedly eyeing for a midseason trade. Interestingly, Suárez also ranks 21 places above Dylan Cease, who secured a hefty seven-year, $210 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Also making the list were former Red Sox champion Nathan Eovaldi (No. 64) and Freddy Peralta (No. 63), whose names have been circulating in offseason trade talks. And let's not forget Aroldis Chapman, the Red Sox closer, who sits at No. 84 after a comeback season.
Here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that Suárez deserved recognition in last year's Top 100, given his 3.46 ERA for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024. He certainly earned his spot this year, with a 3.20 ERA and a career-high 151 strikeouts across 157 1/3 innings last season.
And this is the part most people miss... Over the last five seasons, Suárez ranks 15th in fWAR (15.2) among all starting pitchers. His impressive stats include a 3.25 ERA and a 51.9 percent ground-ball rate. Furthermore, his 31.1% hard-hit percentage last year placed him in the top 2% of MLB.
With Suárez joining Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo, Garrett Crochet, and Brayan Bello, the Red Sox are assembling a truly formidable starting rotation for the 2026 season. It will be exciting to see where Crochet lands in the upcoming rankings.
What do you think? Do you agree with Suárez's ranking? Where do you see the Red Sox finishing in 2026 with their revamped rotation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
