Red Sox meet with two-time Cy Young winner and top left handed free agent hurler
The Red Sox are apparently meeting with the top free agents on the market. After their well-publicized meeting with outfielder Juan Soto last week, Boston has met with former two-time Cy Young winner and top free agent lefty Blake Snell, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Snell has also met with the Dodgers and could potentially meet with the Orioles and Blue Jays, both of whom are looking to add to their starting rotation.
It’s not clear when the Red Sox met with Snell and his agent, Scott Boras. Snell’s market for his services is still in the early stages, but it’s likely he will want the process wrapped up sooner and more efficiently.
Last offseason, Snell was on the market as one of the top prized free agents and signed with the Giants in the spring.
“Both the Red Sox and Dodgers are also talking to (Corbin) Burnes and (Max) Fried, covering their bases the way teams always do at this time of year,” Rosenthal reported. “The Orioles, needing to replace Burnes at the front of their rotation, are exploring the top of the market with the blessing of their new ownership. At the moment, they appear more focused on Snell and possibly Fried, who is on vacation and will meet with clubs when he returns.”
Snell spent last season pitching for the Giants and turned out a strong season, posting a 3.12 ERA while recording a 5-3 record with 145 strikeouts and a 1.05 WHIP in 20 starts.
"I love it here. I think we can be really, really good," Snell said of playing in the Bay Area after his start on Sept. 28. "I see a lot of promise, and I enjoy being here ...I just want to be somewhere that wants me, loves me, and will invest in me to be the best player I can be to help them win. I liked it here. I hope it's here. We'll see.”
Despite his comments, Snell is expected to find a new home this winter.
If the Red Sox emerge victorious in the Snell sweepstakes, he would be their No. 1 starter atop the rotation, which already features Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford. Lucas Giolito will impact the Red Sox pitching staff at some point early on in the season. He is still rehabbing back from UCL surgery last spring.
Boston has two spots in their rotation open; one could be filled by Snel or even fellow southpaw Max Fried. The Sox have internal candidates to fill out the rotation that includes hurlers Richard Fitts, Cooper Criswell, Quinn Priester, or even Zach Penrod.
Snell is a two-time Cy Young Award winner, claiming the honors while with the Rays in 2018 and the Padres in 2023. The 31-year-old spent his first eight years of his career split between Tampa Bay and San Diego and would welcome an opportunity to pitch in a big market.
“Snell pitched in the AL East with the Tampa Bay Rays from 2016 to ‘20, and officials with two of his former clubs, granted anonymity for their candor, said he would not be reluctant to pitch in the pressure-packed Boston market,” Rosenthal wrote. “Like most free agents, Snell wants to play for a winner and wants to get paid.”
Boston has been talking a big game over the last couple of days. Red Sox president Sam Kennedy spoke with The Boston Globe on Wednesday, mentioning Boston is intending to spend in free agency and possibly past the first competitive balance tax threshold of $241 million.
“Even if it takes us over the CBT,” Kennedy said. “Our priority is 90 to 95 wins, winning the American League East, and winning the division for multiple years ... We are investing more than we did last year. We intend to invest going forward.
“There is an extreme urgency internally to be competing for the American League East Championship and to set ourselves up for a deep postseason run in 2025 without question. The goal is to win 90 plus games to not be worrying about a wild-card spot.”
