The Boston Red Sox are undergoing another shift as they move through the offseason. Following their unsuccessful bid for free-agent pitcher Max Fried, the team is reportedly preparing to make an offer to Corbin Burnes, a former ace for the Baltimore Orioles.
The Red Sox demonstrated a strong interest in Fried, who recently agreed to an eight-year contract worth $218 million with the New York Yankees, their division rivals. This happened shortly after both the Red Sox and Yankees missed out on Juan Soto, who signed a record-breaking deal with the New York Mets.
With their sights now set on Burnes, the Red Sox will face stiff competition from other teams, notably the Toronto Blue Jays and the San Francisco Giants, who are also pursuing the talented 30-year-old right-hander. According to MLB insider Mark Feinsand, the Blue Jays currently lead the pack in the chase for Burnes, and there are concerns about the Red Sox hesitating to meet his expected contract demands.
Corbin Burnes had an impressive season in 2023, finishing with a 15-9 record, a 2.92 ERA, and 1.096 WHIP across 32 starts. He also ranked fifth in AL Cy Young voting and pitched 194.1 innings, marking him as a reliable option. With a wealth of experience from his time in MLB, including winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2021 with the Milwaukee Brewers, Burnes would significantly bolster the Red Sox’s rotation, which already includes Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and Lucas Giolito. However, the team is encouraged to pursue additional starting pitching options as well.
Given the current competitive market, Burnes’s next contract might exceed $250 million for up to eight years. Additionally, since he declined a qualifying offer from the Orioles, signing Burnes would require the Red Sox to part with their second-highest draft pick.
In summary, as the offseason progresses, the Red Sox are at a pivotal juncture. Although they’ve faced setbacks with players like Fried and Soto, pursuing a proven talent like Burnes could set the stage for a more competitive pitching lineup. This pursuit represents an opportunity for the Red Sox to recalibrate and strengthen their roster ahead of the next season, showcasing both ambition and resilience in the increasingly competitive MLB landscape.