Boston Red Sox fans have become conditioned not to believe their favorite team's connection to most major free agents in the past few offseasons.
Boston's front office has "checked in" or "been linked" with most of the market's biggest stars in some capacity, but other big market teams have taken their bidding wars much more seriously. This winter, the front office wants fans to believe change is coming, particularly in the pitching department.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has stated that he hopes to "raise the ceiling" of Boston's starting rotation, and the front office hopes to build a team that can contend for the division next year. Signing an ace could be the easiest way to achieve those outcomes.
Boston has been linked to Max Fried and Corbin Burnes, likely the two most expensive arms on the market. Fried is a better choice for the Red Sox because he'd be the only lefty in their rotation, but Burnes would greatly improve the pitching staff, as well. The Sox have been linked to another lefty who could be a great choice if they lose out on Fried.
Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic made a list of potential starters who fit the Red Sox's needs and divided them into categories — impact starters, complementary and risk-reward. Blake Snell rests firmly in the "impact" category, and impact Boston's rotation, he would.
Blake Snell could be the left-handed ace the Red Sox need to perfect their rotation
Corbin Burnes, Max Fried and Blake Snell represent the top tier of starting pitchers entering free agency 👀
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 8, 2024
BK does some digging in on the upper echelon of aces this winter and what they can provide to a contending club. #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/uQhliPZGxm
The lefty has reached free agency for the second time in two seasons. He sought a long-term deal last winter, but couldn't find a club to sign him for as long as he hoped for. If the Red Sox really want to "raise the ceiling" of their rotation, they'll need to take a risk, and signing Snell to a four or five-year deal could be just the boost the pitching staff needs.
Snell posted a 3.12 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP with 145 strikeouts and 44 walks in 104 innings with the Giants. He only made three starts between April 20 and July 8 due to multiple small injuries and a stint on the paternity list. Snell boasts a career average of 11.23 strikeouts per nine innings over his nine seasons in the league, which would help keep balls out of play in hitter-friendly Fenway Park.
Snell's biggest deficiency is his walk rate. He issued 44 free passes this season and averages just over four walks per nine innings. He's also pitched more than 130 innings in a season twice in his career, which suggests length and durability could be a concern. These two factors could potentially make Snell a less expensive addition to the team than Fried may be.
The Red Sox have plenty of pitching options to explore this offseason, but Snell could be on the table after the front office's renewed desire to compete. While he may be an expensive addition, Snell is an ace and a lefty, and the Sox need both in their rotation.