Improving the rotation is a known goal for the Red Sox this winter, with trade targets and free agents such as Garrett Crochet, Fried Maxand an old friend Nathan Eovaldi he is already reportedly on Boston’s radar in the early stages of the offseason. Blake Snell another prominent name also under consideration, as ESPN’s Jeff Passan (recently appearing on the Baseball Bar-B-Cast) said the Sox are “talking” to the two-time Cy Young Award winner.
The Red Sox were slightly linked to Snell’s market when he was a free agent last year, as while reports suggested the Sox had some level of interest in the left-hander, other pitchers were similar. Aaron Nola again Jordan Montgomery they were ahead of Snell on Boston’s wish list. As it turns out, the Sox didn’t end up finding the best arms available on the market, although Snell and Montgomery were both available deep into Spring Training, and Montgomery didn’t end up signing with the Diamondbacks until now. Opening Day.
At this point in the winter calendar, it’s fair to assume that the Red Sox have “opened up” a few pitchers to the next level, so it’s no surprise that they reached out to Snell purely out of diligence. That said, the two teams are naturally balanced, which is probably why MLBTR’s Darragh McDonald and Anthony Franco predicted Snell to sign with Boston as part of our site’s top 50 free agent projections (Snell ranked fourth on our list, and is predicted to get a five-year, $160MM contract).
The Red Sox have largely avoided signing minor leaguers in recent years, as the club has focused more on reloading the minor league system and finding value signees than making a truly aggressive bid. After three straight winless seasons, patience is wearing thin among fans, and there is more pressure on the Sox front office to make a big-budget signing as a clear sign that the club wants to win. Landing a top pitcher like Snell certainly counts in this category, and gives the Sox an ace-level pitcher the rotation clearly needs.
Snell’s extended stay in free agency ended last winter when he joined the Giants in mid-March, and the abbreviated nature of his Spring Training prep initially seemed to lead to a disastrous season. The left-hander’s first three months in San Francisco resulted in two lineup injuries and a 9.51 ERA over six starts and 23 2/3 innings, but as is often the case in Snell’s career, he improved as a player. the season is improved. In the most extreme example yet of Snell’s second-half surge, he had a 1.23 ERA over his 14 starts and 80 1/3 innings, once again establishing himself as one of baseball’s best hitters. Therefore, Snell chose to exercise the opt-out clause in his two-year, $62MM deal with San Francisco, saying he was owed $30MM in 2025 in order to pursue a long-term commitment.
This is not to say that some of the questions that dogged the Snell market last winter have completely disappeared. He has also been hampered by injuries, and is now a year old as he will turn 32 in December. However, one major difference between Snell’s free agent status from last year to this year is that he no longer has a qualifying offer attached to his services. Snell declined the Giants’ qualifying offer last winter, and since the QO can only be granted to a player once in his career, the team is free to sign Snell without offering any compensation.
Boston would have to give up $500K in international bonus money and their second-highest pick in next year’s draft to sign an eligible free agent. It could be argued that Snell’s lack of QO status is a big deal for the taxpayers, as they face a steep penalty for signing one of the 13 free agents granted qualifying offers this offseason, a pitcher like Snell may be even more attractive. there is a suitable pot such as Fried or Corbin Burns.
Still, the Red Sox would like to avoid losing a draft pick if they can help it, and the Sox could also consider Snell. again eligible free agent. For example, the Sox are interested in it Juan Soto again Teoscar Hernandez within the position player category, in addition to their need for rotation help. Nick Pivetta and it appears he will reject Boston’s qualifying offer, so the Sox will receive compensation in return if Pivetta signs elsewhere.
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