BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox are once again reevaluating their strategy this offseason following recent disappointments. After failing to secure free-agent left-hander Max Fried, the team is now reportedly preparing a contract offer for former Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes.
The Red Sox made a concerted effort to land Fried, who ultimately signed a substantial $218 million, eight-year deal with their divisional rivals, the New York Yankees. This signing came on the heels of both the Red Sox and Yankees missing out on star outfielder Juan Soto, who recently inked a groundbreaking contract with the New York Mets.
Shifting their focus to Burnes, as reported by Sean McAdam of Mass Live, the Red Sox will face stiff competition from other teams including the Toronto Blue Jays and the San Francisco Giants. MLB insider Mark Feinsand notes that the Blue Jays are currently favored to acquire Burnes, and there are indications that the Red Sox may be reluctant to meet his expected contract demands.
Burnes enjoyed a strong season last year, boasting a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.096 WHIP over 32 starts. He finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting, despite a slight dip in strikeouts, with 181 compared to 200 the previous year. Throughout his career, he has consistently proven to be a reliable innings eater, with 590 innings pitched over the last three seasons.
Previously, Burnes spent six seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, claiming the NL Cy Young Award in 2021 and leading the league with an impressive 2.43 ERA that year.
If Boston manages to secure Burnes, he would lead a rotation that also includes Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and Lucas Giolito. However, experts suggest that the Red Sox should consider adding more than one starting pitcher this offseason. Given the current market, Burnes could command a deal exceeding $250 million for up to eight years. Furthermore, he declined a qualifying offer from Baltimore, meaning signing him would cost the Red Sox their second-highest draft pick.
In light of recent challenges, the Red Sox have an opportunity to reshape their roster by targeting top pitchers, which could significantly enhance their competitiveness in the coming season. The focus on acquiring Burnes demonstrates a commitment to bolstering their pitching staff, a critical component for success in Major League Baseball. With the potential to make strategic moves, the Red Sox may still find themselves in an advantageous position as the offseason unfolds.