It appeared the Boston Red Sox took out the highlighter and zeroed in on Max Fried this offseason.
The Red Sox, in determined want of a frontline beginning pitcher and loads of choices out there on the free agent market, had been seen as one of many finalists for the veteran beginning pitcher But Boston didn’t emerge because the winner within the race for Fried.
Instead, the New York Yankees landed the two-time All-Star for the large worth of an eight-year, $218 million contract, probably the most sum of money given to a lefty pitcher in MLB historical past.
In the aftermath of dropping out on one other high-profile free agent, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam added context to Boston’s pursuit of Fried.
“The Red Sox made a severe run at Fried, in line with a supply, however the Yankees’ bid was described as ‘considerably forward’ of what Boston supplied,” Cotillo and McAdam wrote. “It’s unclear if Boston most popular Fried to fellow prime free agent Corbin Burnes, who stays unsigned.”
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With Fried not an choice, it appears to be like just like the Red Sox will pivot — the phrase of the offseason thus far for the franchise — to Burnes. Boston reportedly was “readying” a suggestion for the 30-year-old right-hander on Tuesday night time.
Burnes can be an enormous get for the Red Sox after seeing Fried find yourself with their archrival. Burnes, who’s a four-time All-Star and 2021 Cy Young Award winner, is coming off a season with the Baltimore Orioles through which he compiled a 15-9 document to associate with a 2.92 ERA and 1.096 WHIP.
And signing Burnes may assist Red Sox followers overlook about arising brief to the Yankees for Fried.