After Ranger Suárez deal, where does Red Sox payroll stand? Does Boston need to dump salary?
MassLive • • sports
Key Points:
- The Boston Red Sox signed starting pitcher Ranger Suárez to a five-year, $130 million contract, marking their third major offseason acquisition after trading for Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras.
- With Suárez's deal, the Red Sox's projected competitive balance tax (CBT) payroll is around $269 million, exceeding both the first ($244 million) and second ($264 million) CBT thresholds, making it the highest payroll in franchise history.
- Despite freeing up about $100 million from departing players, large contract extensions for key players and arbitration raises have consumed much of that space, leaving limited financial flexibility for additional moves.
- The team's cash spending is likely lower than the CBT payroll figure due to back-loaded contracts and deferred payments, meaning actual
