DALLAS — Two days after losing a bidding war to the Mets on Juan Soto, the Red Sox lost another to the Yankees on Tuesday. And once again, they’re prepared to pivot on the free agent market.
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Top Boston free agent target Max Fried has agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. It’s the largest deal ever given to a left-handed pitcher, surpassing the $217 million deal David Price’s signed with Boston in nine years ago.
The Red Sox made a serious run at Fried, according to a source, but the Yankees’ bid was described as “significantly ahead” of what Boston offered. It’s unclear if Boston preferred Fried to fellow top free agent Corbin Burnes, who remains unsigned. In any case, as of Tuesday afternoon, the Red Sox were readying an offer for Burnes, according to a source with knowledge of the talks. Burnes, who has also been linked to Toronto, San Francisco and other clubs, could sign rather quickly with Fried off the board.
After the news broke, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow declined to get into specifics of Boston’s pursuit of Fried but acknowledged the two-time All-Star was a logical fit after authoring a 3.07 ERA in eight seasons with Atlanta.
“Can’t get into specifics but given our needs and what we intend to address this offseason, it’s safe to say we were, we are and we intend to remain on top rotation options,” Breslow said.
As of the beginning of this week’s Winter Meetings, Fried and Burnes were high atop Boston’s list. The Sox met (possibly on Zoom) with both pitchers in recent weeks. According to a major league source, however, the club has not been an aggressor when it comes to top trade target Garrett Crochet, who the White Sox are actively looking to move. Other clubs, like the Yankees, Mets and Reds, have been more aggressive to this point. Boston has also had talks with Seattle about acquiring a young starter like Bryan Woo or Bryce Miller but has been unable to gain much traction. Triston Casas has been part of those talks.
The pursuit of pitching will continue with the options dwindling. Burnes is the clear top available option on the free agent market along with Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, who was posted Tuesday. Jack Flaherty, Sean Manaea, Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney, Nick Pivetta and Jose Quintana are among the others still available.
For the Red Sox, the pitching pursuit continues. The clock is beginning to tick.
“Obviously, it’s a need,” Breslow said late Tuesday. “We’ve talked about that. We’ll stay active and engaged and continue to try to work toward doing that … We need to remain aggressive and convicted in our decision-making.
“My general approach here is that in order to attract free agent talent, you have to be willing to get uncomfortable. I don’t think it would be fair to speak about any individual pursuits or deals outside of saying that is the sentiment of our room and we recognize that as we’re willing to improve our team, this can’t be about doing what feels perfectly comfortable.”
