The Boston Red Sox have the potential to build one of the most formidable pitching rotations in baseball this offseason. Despite dealing with injuries to key players and facing a lot of negativity heading into the 2024 season, the Red Sox managed to secure the seventh-best starter ERA in the league at 3.81. This success came despite losing their top free-agent acquisition, Lucas Giolito, for the entire season and dealing with injuries to Garrett Whitlock. However, the team still managed to perform well on the mound.
Looking ahead, Boston expects to get Giolito back for the 2025 season and has already strengthened its rotation by acquiring Garrett Crochet. With these additions, the Red Sox’s pitching staff is poised to be even better in 2025 than it was the previous year. However, they could further bolster their rotation by signing four-time All-Star Corbin Burnes, who remains the top available pitcher on the market. While several teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Francisco Giants, have shown significant interest in Burnes, Boston has also been actively linked to him.
Given the high demand, Burnes is expected to command an enormous contract, especially following Max Fried’s recent $218 million deal with the New York Yankees. Burnes’ contract could exceed that amount, making him one of the most sought-after free agents this winter. Zach Pressnell of Newsweek speculated that, despite the stiff competition from other teams, the Red Sox would ultimately win the bidding war for Burnes, offering him a lucrative eight-year, $260 million deal.
Burnes is coming off a Cy Young-caliber season in 2023, where he posted a 2.92 ERA in 32 starts, and his career ERA stands at an impressive 3.19 with a 1.06 WHIP. The Red Sox, who already strengthened their rotation with the acquisition of Crochet, have a solid lineup and could afford to overpay for Burnes, which might allow them to close the gap in the American League East. Pressnell predicts that Burnes will ultimately choose Boston, giving the team a dominant ace and a much-needed boost to their pitching staff.
If this prediction holds true, the Red Sox would significantly improve their chances of contending with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees for the top spot in the American League East, transforming their pitching rotation into one of the best in the league.
