The Boston Red Sox reportedly are looking in free agency for a frontline starting pitching to lift up their rotation.
It won’t be Blake Snell, though.
The Red Sox reportedly targeted the veteran left-hander, but Snell came off the board late Tuesday night when ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that he agreed to a five-year, $182 million contract with the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported last week that the Red Sox met with Snell, who went 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.048 WHIP in 20 starts with the San Francisco Giants this past season. Snell is just two seasons removed now from winning the second Cy Young Award of his career after he turned in a 14-9 record and a 2.25 ERA to go along with 234 strikeouts in 180 innings with the San Diego Padres in 2023.
Snell, who also spent five seasons pitching in the American League East with the Tampa Bay Rays, adds to a juggernaut Dodgers roster that has terrific starting pitching already and will add Shohei Ohtani to the starting staff as well for the 2025 season.
Losing out on Snell doesn’t end Boston’s objective of signing a premier pitcher this offseason. Max Fried and Corbin Burnes — two starters they have been linked to throughout the offseason — are still available. The Red Sox also have the potential to trade for Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet.
