Red Sox's Top MLB Free-Agent, Trade Targets After Rumored Max Fried Yankees Contract
The Boston Red Sox have missed out on two star free agents in less than a week.
After Juan Soto inked a record 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets, starting pitcher Max Fried, formerly of the Atlanta Braves, agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract with the New York Yankees.
The Red Sox still have little to show for this offseason, but there's a handful of players they could bring to Boston either through free agency or a trade.
Here's a look at some possible options.
Dylan Cease
Dylan Cease is coming off one of the best seasons of his career and could help ease the blow of missing out on Fried if the Red Sox can bring him to Fenway.
The San Diego Padres right-handed starting pitcher had a 3.47 ERA, 224 strikeouts and a 14-11 record last season. He also recorded a career-best 1.07 WHIP in 33 appearances. He struggled in the postseason, though his only two appearances came against a potent Los Angeles Dodgers offense.
The Red Sox already expressed interest in Cease even before Fried signed with the Yankees, per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, and that interest will likely only intensify now.
Boston will have to make San Diego an impressive offer for the Padres to hand over one of their top pitchers, and Cease's value will only increase the more free-agent pitchers sign with teams.
Corbin Burnes
Fried's signing on Tuesday makes Corbin Burnes the top remaining free-agent starting pitcher.
The 30-year-old had another outstanding year in 2024 in his debut with the Baltimore Orioles. He posted 181 strikeouts, a 2.92 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP on his way to a 15-9 record.
Given the year Burnes had, he will have plenty of options this offseason. He's already been linked to the Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants and a handful of other teams and will likely start seeing offers this week after Freid's signing.
According to Mass Live's Chris Cotillo, the Red Sox "were readying an offer for Burnes" on Tuesday afternoon, and they'll need to move swiftly to avoid missing out on another star.
Jack Flaherty
Though Burnes should remain the top priority for the Red Sox, Jack Flaherty could be a solid tertiary option behind Fried and Burnes.
Flaherty, who posted a 3.58 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and a 6-2 record a season ago, is a free agent this offseason and could be interested in heading back to the AL East. CBS Sports' R.J. Anderson predicts Flaherty to sign with Boston.
The Red Sox might not get competition for Flaherty from the Dodgers given they signed Blake Snell in November. The market will still be big for Flaherty, but not having to outbid Los Angeles would make landing him much easier.