The Boston Red Sox are feeling the pressure to make a big move as the offseason progresses.
While making the playoffs in 2025 is a realistic target, the current roster isn’t quite there yet. A few key areas need to be addressed, and the most glaring need right now is at the top of the starting pitching rotation.
Securing an ace this winter is both straightforward and challenging—outbid the competition. With the free-agent market at an all-time high, the Red Sox have set their sights on the two top starters available: Max Fried and Corbin Burnes. Both are expected to command contracts worth over $200 million, and the Red Sox are aggressively pursuing them.
According to a report by Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have already held meetings with both Fried and Burnes. The meeting with Burnes was conducted remotely, while it’s unclear whether the team met Fried in person or virtually.
Both pitchers have been consistently excellent for years. Since 2020, Fried boasts the lowest ERA in baseball (2.81), while Burnes isn’t far behind at 2.88. Given the limited options for top-tier starting pitchers on the market, interest in both is intense.
In a related report, Bob Nightengale of USA Today indicated that the bidding for Fried will likely come down to the Red Sox and the New York Yankees, while the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Giants are also in the running for Burnes.
Ultimately, the Red Sox will face stiff competition in this high-stakes battle for starting pitching. If they want to land an ace, now is the time to make their move.
