Red Sox Eyeing $100M+ Pitcher After Snell And Kikuchi Miss

The Boston Red Sox are under pressure to secure a top-tier starting pitcher after missing out on two big names in the market: Blake Snell and Yusei Kikuchi. While other teams, especially the Los Angeles Dodgers, have made significant moves, the Red Sox now have to act quickly if they want to land an ace like Max Fried or Corbin Burnes to bolster their rotation.

Snell Shakes Up the Market

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a strategic move by signing two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million deal. This deal could have a significant ripple effect across the market. Teams, including the Red Sox, were hoping to pivot to Snell as an alternative option if they missed out on Juan Soto. Now, with Snell off the board, the pitching market is expected to move fast, with teams focusing on the next top-tier arms available: Max Fried and Corbin Burnes. The Red Sox, needing to strengthen their rotation, will have to react quickly to secure one of these stars.

Prime Target for the Red Sox

Max Fried is widely regarded as one of the best free-agent pitchers available this offseason. Having spent his entire career with the Atlanta Braves, Fried has established himself as an ace, boasting a 73-36 career record and earning three Gold Gloves. His 2024 campaign was solid, finishing with an 11-10 record and a 3.25 ERA, but his standout performance came in 2022 when he finished second in Cy Young voting. With Fried entering free agency at 31 years old, he’s expected to be a hot commodity, and the Red Sox are among the teams likely to pursue him aggressively. Adding Fried would be a huge boost to Boston’s rotation, which needs a top-tier left-handed pitcher.

Another Elite Option

Along with Fried, Corbin Burnes is another ace available this offseason. The 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner has been a dominant force for the Milwaukee Brewers but has faced some challenges recently, particularly a decline in his strikeout rate. Still, his overall consistency and ace-level performance make him a prime candidate for teams like the Red Sox. Burnes, who is younger than Snell, is expected to command a major contract. Many predict that Burnes could land a deal worth $250 million or more, with a potential seven-year contract at around $38 million per year, which would push his total value over $266 million.

Need to Move Quickly

After missing out on Blake Snell, the Red Sox now face a critical decision in their pursuit of starting pitching. Max Fried and Corbin Burnes are the next big names on the market, but they come with hefty price tags. With both Fried and Burnes expected to receive lucrative contracts, the Red Sox need to act fast. The clock is ticking as other teams, including the Padres and Dodgers, also pursue these top-tier pitchers. If the Red Sox miss out on Fried or Burnes, they may find themselves scrambling for alternatives, which could leave them at a disadvantage as they aim to compete in the competitive AL East. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining how the Red Sox will address their pitching needs for the upcoming season.