The Boston Red Sox are reportedly deep into negotiations with two of the top starting pitchers available on the free-agent market: Blake Snell and Max Fried. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Red Sox are actively pursuing both left-handed aces as they look to upgrade their rotation and inject top-end talent into a squad that underperformed in 2024.
Passan, speaking on the Baseball Bar-B Cast, offered insight into Boston’s offseason strategy, highlighting the team’s urgent need for a true “ace” to anchor the rotation. Despite solid performances from pitchers like Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford, the Red Sox have lacked a dominant frontline starter, which has become an obvious gap in their roster. While Bello and Crawford are both solid contributors, Passan pointed out that the Red Sox don’t have a clear “number one” starter, which is why they are engaging with Snell and Fried.
“Everything has lined up for them at this point, except for their ability to develop starting pitching at the big league level,” Passan noted. “Brayan Bello is good. Kutter Crawford is a perfectly fine big league starter. But they don’t have a dude. And it’s why they’re talking to Blake Snell, and it’s why they’re talking to Max Fried.”
Blake Snell: Cy Young Winner with Elite Stuff
Snell, a two-time Cy Young award winner, would add a dynamic, high-ceiling presence to the Red Sox rotation. The 31-year-old lefty is coming off an exceptional 2023 campaign with the San Diego Padres, where he posted a 2.25 ERA and won his second Cy Young Award. In 2024, Snell continued his dominance, finishing with a 3.12 ERA in 20 starts for the San Francisco Giants, including his first career no-hitter on August 2. His ability to generate strikeouts and dominate left-handed hitters would add a crucial element to the Red Sox’s pitching staff.
Max Fried: Durable Ace Coming Off Strong All-Star Season
Max Fried, 30, has long been considered one of the top left-handed pitchers in the game, and his 2024 season with the Atlanta Braves only reinforced that reputation. Fried earned an All-Star selection and finished the year with a 3.25 ERA over 29 starts, logging 174.1 innings—a testament to his durability and ability to handle a heavy workload. Fried’s ability to pitch deep into games and maintain consistency throughout the season would provide much-needed stability to the Red Sox’s rotation.
Fried has been closely linked to Boston ever since the start of the offseason, with many speculating that his connection to former high school teammate Lucas Giolito, a potential free-agent signing for the Red Sox, could make a reunion between the two a possibility.
Red Sox Looking to Spend Big in an Active Offseason
Passan’s comments come amid growing expectations that the Red Sox will be active in free agency this winter. With a payroll that could accommodate significant investments, Boston is expected to be a major player in the market for top-tier talent. However, the team’s pitching needs are front and center as they look to build a roster capable of contending in a loaded AL East.
Passan also suggested that if the Red Sox decide to pivot and pursue other avenues—such as targeting superstar outfielder Juan Soto via trade—they could still bolster their rotation through trades, potentially looking at options like Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet.
The Road Ahead for Boston
As the Red Sox continue their pursuit of Snell and Fried, it’s clear that adding a true ace is a top priority for the front office. The team has the financial flexibility to make a splash, but as Passan cautioned, the Red Sox will need to be strategic in how they proceed.
“They have to be intelligent about how they do things, because getting stars, it’s not easy,” Passan advised, underscoring the complexities of building a championship-caliber roster.
With their focus on pitching, the Red Sox’s offseason is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. Whether they land Snell, Fried, or another top-tier starter, Boston’s commitment to improving its rotation could be a game-changer for the 2025 season.
