Despite their blockbuster trade for Chicago White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet, the Boston Red Sox remain involved in the free agent and trade markets for pitching.
After the Sox lost out on lefty free agent target Max Fried to the Yankees, MassLive reported that the team was "readying an offer" for the last remaining free agent ace, Corbin Burnes. Since whiffing on Juan Soto, Boston hasn't spent any of the potential $700 million it was ready to commit to him, and Sox fans would love to see some of it given to Burnes.
Red Sox remain interested in Corbin Burnes, but not as aggressive as Blue Jays, Giants
The 30-year-old posted a 2.92 ERA with 181 strikeouts and 48 walks over 194.1 innings with the Orioles last season. He, Crochet and Tanner Houck would make the front of Boston's rotation truly dangerous with swing-and-miss talent.
The Giants and Blue Jays are still in on Burnes' market, and they're rumored to be much more aggressive in his market than the Sox have been. Boston is nearly $100 million under next year's first luxury tax threshold — they have plenty of room to spend money despite not acting like it. Toronto would instantly improve with Burnes in the rotation, as would any team, and the Red Sox should do everything they can to keep that from happening, including signing the star for themselves.
Walker Buehler is one of the most established free-agent pitchers still on the board following his strong showing in October, and per sources, his reps looking for multi-year deal with opt-outs. Yankees had talked about him before Fried signed. Red Sox, Tigers, Giants, among…
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 12, 2024
Red Sox among the remaining suitors for free agent righty Walker Buehler
The Red Sox also remain in on Walker Buehler, according to MLB insider Buster Olney. The Yankees were in on the righty before they signed Fried on Dec. 10. Now, the Sox remain up against the Tigers and Giants as potential suitors for the 30-year-old.
Buehler has been far less consistent than Burnes throughout his career, but he'd still bring a gritty presence to the middle of Boston's rotation. He posted a 5.38 ERA with 64 strikeouts and 28 walks over 75.1 innings with the Dodgers in 2024. After the Padres rocked him in his first postseason start of the year, Buehler posted 10 shutout innings to close out his season on a high note — he made the final pitch of the World Series for the champion Dodgers.
According to Olney, Buehler seeks a multi-year deal with opt-outs, which seems more like the Red Sox's speed than the megadeal Burnes likely wants.
Red Sox-Mariners trade rumors taking off on social media
Since Boston's shocking trade for Crochet, more pitcher trade rumors have emerged. The Red Sox and Mariners have been connected a few times this offseason, but the rumors began to pick up serious steam on Dec. 11.
MLB Network insider Jon Morosi reported that the Sox are still working toward trading for one of the Mariners' top pitchers. In a later video, the insider noted that Luis Castillo would likely be part of the deal, although that has not been confirmed by either side.
Seattle has already declined a Red Sox trade offer that included first baseman Triston Casas, and plenty of Boston fans were not thrilled to hear the young slugger could be on the trade block.