The Boston Red Sox lost out on Blake Snell on Tuesday night after he reportedly agreed to a sizable contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But the good news for the Red Sox? There are still plenty of premier starting pitching options available in free agency.
And it appears the Red Sox are zeroing in on one of those starting pitchers, in particular.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Red Sox “are focusing on Max Fried to upgrade their rotation” following the reported five-year, $182 million deal Snell got from the Dodgers.
Fried doesn’t have the same pedigree as Snell, who won the Cy Young Award twice in his career, but his résumé sure isn’t lacking, either. Fried spent all eight seasons of his MLB career thus far with the Atlanta Braves and is a two-time All-Star plus a three-time Gold Glove Award winner. He also helped the Braves capture a World Series — something Snell hasn’t done but now is in a good position to do so with the juggernaut Dodgers — in 2021.
Fried is also a year younger than Snell and is coming off a 2024 season in which the 30-year-old posted an 11-10 record with a 3.25 ERA and a 1.164 WHIP in 29 starts. He also struck out 166 batters in 174 1/3 innings.
The Red Sox did not have a lefty in their starting rotation last season and Fried would fit well spearheading a unit that also features Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito and Kutter Crawford.
While the Red Sox turn their attention to Fried, he isn’t the only big-name pitcher they have been linked to this offseason. The Red Sox reportedly have shown interest in signing Corbin Burnes as well.
