The Boston Red Sox have shocked their jaded fanbase with their level of activity in the free agent market so far this offseason.
Boston has been linked to plenty of star players, from aces to slugging outfielders. For the first time in years, the Red Sox finally seem inclined to make a significant free agent signing, and fans are clamoring for action sooner rather than later.
Starting pitching is definitely Boston's most pressing need, but another righty bat with some pop wouldn't hurt. Here are some of the many free agents the Sox have been linked to and how much we think they'd be willing to pay.
Projecting Red Sox contracts for every major free agent linked to Boston this fall
Juan Soto - 12 years, $624 million
The Red Sox are among the five finalists in the Soto market, alongside the Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays and Dodgers. It's been reported that Soto has fielded offers over $600 million from the teams in the running, and MLB insider Jon Heyman recently shared the bidding may have reached the $700 million range. The Sox have been lame ducks in the free agent market for quite some time, and while $650 million is no small amount, $700 million seems too unrealistic for John Henry's budget.
Corbin Burnes - eight years, $280 million
Boston has been burned by long-term contracts for pitchers before, and it has seemed reluctant to dish out another one since. But in order to compete for Cy Young Award winner and ace Corbin Burnes, the Sox may need to commit for a long time.
Most contract predictions for Burnes seem surprisingly low and come in the $200 million range. But after Blake Snell's surprise deal with the Dodgers, Burnes' price has definitely jumped.
Max Fried - seven years, $182 million
The Red Sox need a lefty in their rotation, and after the Snell signing, Max Fried is the best option available. He owns a 3.07 career ERA after eight seasons with the Braves, but unlike Burnes and Snell, he does not have a Cy Young Award in his trophy case. He also has some injury concerns that could lower his payday slightly.
Teoscar Hernández - three years, $72 million
Teoscar Hernández is fresh off a rebound year and World Series-winning season with the Dodgers, and it's been reported that the two parties are nearing a reunion. Nothing has been confirmed yet, though, and the Red Sox considered Hernández for their outfield last year. He could be a quality fallback option if Boston loses out on Soto.
Hernández mashed a career-high 33 homers in his age-31 season, but he's been an inconsistent producer on offense in the past, so a shorter deal may be better suited to his history. Three years seems like an ideal amount of time for the veteran's next contract.
Tyler O'Neill - three years, $54 million
Shortly after their season ended, the Red Sox and Tyler O'Neill expressed mutual interest in a reunion. O'Neill's swing is built for Fenway Park and it showed in his numbers — he mashed 31 homers over 113 games and fit in well in Boston.
O'Neill has quite a lengthy history with injuries, so a contract longer than three years could be difficult to justify. A deal with a $18 million average annual value is a solid raise from his ~$6 million salary from 2024, but if he can maintain his home run pace, it'd be worth it.