Boston should be looking for ways to add pitching this winter.
Whatever happens with the starting order, the Boston Red Sox will need to get additional pitching this winter.
Boston has been courting New York Yankees star Juan Soto, but even if he signs, the team will need to acquire pitching. The Red Sox have the resources to complete a deal with Soto and acquire top-tier pitching quality.
Before Opening Day, the Red Sox require at least one left-handed starting pitcher. Boston will start the 2024 season with Tanner Houck, Lucas Giolitio, Kutter Crawford, and Brayan Bello, unless they are traded.
Boston should aim for at least one starter, but adding two may be beneficial. Injuries played a significant part for Boston in 2025, therefore the team should do everything possible to maximize depth.
Because of this, the Red Sox should target two starting pitchers: Max Fried and Walker Bueher. Fried would give the left-handed punch that Boston requires, while Buehler would be a low-cost alternative with a tremendous upside.
Fried is expected to sign a six-year deal worth more than $136 million this winter. Buehler is expected to sign a one-year deal earning little under $4 million.
In this scenario, Fried would be the main reward. He has a 3.07 ERA over eight seasons. Fried is coming off a 3.25 ERA in 29 starts for Atlanta in 2024, during which time he was named an All-Star.
Buehler struggled in 2024, despite missing the whole 2023 season. He posted a 5.38 ERA in 16 regular-season starts, but he looked more like himself in the postseason, dominating in the World Series and even closing out the final game against the New York Yankees.
He’ll have to settle for a modest contract after struggling with injuries in recent years, but he shown in the playoffs that he can still shove despite being only 30 years old. With another year of recovery from his injury and Andrew Bailey leading the way, Buehler may be able to return to full form at a bargain.
In this situation, the Red Sox may either stick with a six-man rotation or move one of their other starters to the bullpen as injury insurance. A contender can never have too many pitchers, and these two should be top priorities for Boston.
