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3 Starting Pitchers Red Sox Must Pursue to Begin Free Agency

With Nick Pivetta heading to free agency, the Boston Red Sox must capitalize on the starting pitcher market.

By Jovan Alford

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Corbin Burnes (39) looks on during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Corbin Burnes (39) looks on during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. / Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
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3. Sean Manaea

If the Red Sox don’t want to break the bank for Snell or Burnes this offseason, Sean Manaea could be a sneaky option for Boston. The New York Mets are entering an interesting offseason after their exciting run to the NLCS. 

The Mets have to decide on bringing back All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso, along with free agent starting pitchers Luis Severino, Jose Quintana, and Manaea. 

Manaea could be the odd man out in New York after he declined his $13.5 million player option for the 2025 season on Nov. 1. The right-handed starter signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Mets after spending the 2023 season with the New York Giants.

Manaea had one of his best seasons as a professional in 2024 with the Mets, posting a 12-6 record and a 3.47 ERA across 32 starts. The veteran pitcher also produced 184 strikeouts in 181.2 innings pitched.

The 32-year-old struggled with the long ball this past season, allowing 21 home runs. But that didn’t matter much to the Mets as Manaea switched up his pitching mechanics to mimic former Red Sox ace Chris Sale.

In the first half of the season, Manaea had a 6-3 record, a 3.46 ERA, and held opponents to a .218 batting average. However, in the second half of the 2024 campaign, the vet coincidentally had a 6-3 record, a 3.48 ERA, and a .185 OBA.

Spotrac projects Manaea’s calculated market value as a two-year, $29 million deal with an average annual salary of $14.5 million. Manaea will likely get more than that, given that he declined a $13.5 million player option.

While other teams go after Burnes, Snell, and Max Fried, the Red Sox could swoop in and add Manaea as their third starter behind Houck and Crawford/Bello next season.

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