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Ken Rosenthal lists several pitchers the Red Sox should target this offseason
"It's time for the Red Sox to start acting like the Red Sox again.”
If the Red Sox plan on re-establishing themselves as a contender in 2025, they’re going to need to add at least one top-of-the-rotation starter to their roster this winter.
Boston already has the foundation of a steady starting rotation in place with Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, and Brayan Bello all expected back next summer.
Lucas Giolito — who missed the entire 2024 season due to elbow surgery — should give the team another innings-eating option as well.
But the Red Sox are in desperate need of an ace at the top of their rotation, with Boston equipped with both the capital and prospects to either sign a top-flight hurler in free agency or bring in a cost-controlled, impact arm via trade.
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And based on longtime MLB insider Ken Rosenthal’s latest musing, Craig Breslow and the Red Sox should leave no stone unturned this winter when it comes to stockpiling talent in the rotation.
During a segment on “Foul Territory,” Rosenthal was asked a viewer-submitted question about which pitcher Boston should target this offseason. The query mentioned several potential free-agent options including Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, and Roki Sasaki.
Rosenthal pulled no punches with his response, listing several other arms that the Red Sox should keep tabs on this offseason.
“I would suggest all of the above,” Rosenthal said of Boston’s potential interest in Burnes, Fried, and Sasaki. “They should be looking at every possible option. And my friend Sean McAdam who works for Masslive.com had another idea in something he wrote, I believe, it was over the weekend: Garrett Crochet — a trade for Garrett Crochet.
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“The Red Sox system right now is in a really good place. So they should be looking at all options — all the ones you mentioned — and others. [Blake] Snell should be an option for them.”
After submitting a quiet offseason in 2023 despite pledges of a “full throttle” approach, the Red Sox could immediately upgrade their rotation this winter by tossing a hefty contract offer at a southpaw like Fried or Snell.
While Burnes could command a deal reaching nearly $250 million, a pitcher like Snell — entering his age-32 season — could be available at a cheaper rate, especially with no qualifying offer attached.
The Athletic projected a four-year, $110 million contract this offseason for Snell, who sported a 1.31 ERA and struck out 111 batters over 75.1 innings after the 2024 All-Star Break.
But if the Red Sox are hesitant about spending heavily on pitchers over the age of 30, a 25-year-old southpaw like Crochet could be an appealing target.
Not only is Crochet under team control for another two seasons, but the 6-foot-6 lefty has ace-like stuff on the mound, fanning 209 batters over just 146 innings last season with the White Sox.
But prying away a cost-controlled, stud pitcher like Crochet will cost a pretty penny for the Red Sox, with Boston likely needing to part ways with some of its top prospects like Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, or Kyle Teel.
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Chicago could also covet young, impact players already on Boston’s big-league roster, including Triston Casas.
Whichever avenue Breslow and Co. opt to take, Rosenthal stressed that the Red Sox need to act in order to take steps forward after an 81-81 campaign in 2024.
“Every pitcher on the market should be [someone] that they investigate, and they cannot come up empty,” Rosenthal added. “They need to go now. It’s time for the Red Sox to start acting like the Red Sox again.”
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