The Boston Red Sox seem to have most of their offseason resources focused on their pursuit of Juan Soto at this point, but quality starting pitching still remains the team's most pressing need.
The Red Sox ranked in the top 10 in MLB in almost every offensive metric last season despite their perfectly average 81-81 record. They scored a ninth-place 751 runs, but the inexperienced pitching staff let up too many to keep them ahead in close games. An ace could not only bolster the relatively young starting rotation but take pressure off the bullpen, which cost the team plenty of games down the stretch.
After the Dodgers signed Blake Snell, who was a top lefty choice for Boston, the elite options on the market are dwindling early. Potentially the two best pitchers on the market still remain — Corbin Burnes and Max Fried could take any team's rotation to the next level. Bleacher Report has listed the Sox as the best possible fit for one of them.
Writer Kerry Miller predicts the Red Sox will land Burnes, with the Mets and Cubs in second and third place, respectively, for the righty. He cited Boston's declining payroll and the struggles of its current rotation to justify the prediction. Miller also expects the Mets will prioritize Fried, and they're still a frontrunner for Soto and what is sure to be one of the largest contracts of all time, which could leave the door open for Boston to jump into a deal with Burnes.
Bleacher Report lists Red Sox as the best fit for free agent ace Corbin Burnes
Can the Orioles re-sign Corbin Burnes? 🤔
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) November 13, 2024
(w/ @JonHeyman) pic.twitter.com/qJ9ciZnHDO
Burnes posted a 2.92 ERA over 194.1 innings with the Orioles last season — Baltimore's new ownership is supposedly more inclined to spend on free agents than its previous administration, so it could also be a threat in the market for the ace. Burnes clocked 181 strikeouts, 48 walks and a 1.10 WHIP in 2024.
The Red Sox's interest in Snell suggests they hope to sign a southpaw to balance their all-right-handed rotation. If they can't get Fried, Burnes is still a more than satisfactory choice. He's a 3.19 ERA pitcher over seven seasons, he's been an All-Star the past four years and has a Cy Young Award in his trophy case.
Stealing Burnes away from the Orioles could be the ideal way for the Sox to shore up their rotation and return to competition in the American League East. If Boston loses out on Soto, it could take the $600 million it had committed to signing him to add two aces, and Burnes should absolutely be one of them.