The Hot Stove is beginning to heat up, with Blake Snell signing a five-year, $182 million deal last night to join the reigning World Series champion Dodgers. The rich get richer as the Braves rivals out west continue to hand out mega-contract after mega-contract without an ounce of hesitation. But beyond that, Blake Snell coming off the market also has significant implications for Max Fried.
Fried’s free agency is now accelerating, with the Boston Red Sox reportedly focusing their attention on the 30-year-old, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today:
“The Boston Red Sox, who were in on Blake Snell, now are focusing on Max Fried to upgrade their rotation.”
The Boston Red Sox, who were in on Blake Snell, now are focusing on Max Fried to upgrade their rotation.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 27, 2024
After several quiet offseasons in Boston, the Red Sox finally appear ready to spend again. They are reportedly making a serious push for Juan Soto and also have their eyes on all of the top starters available.
Fried is coming off a season in which he made 29 starts for Atlanta, going 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA, which is honestly a down year for the veteran. Across his eight-year career with the Braves, he owns a 3.07 ERA. Better yet, Fried boasts an impressive 2.81 ERA since 2020.
Spotrac estimates the two-time All-Star’s market value to be six years and $136 million, but that seems far too light considering the way Blake Snell got paid. The Braves are reportedly trying to re-sign Max Fried, but I would be shocked if that happened now. The prices for free agent starting pitchers are insane, and it’s only going to keep going up.
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David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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