8 Free Agents Red Sox Need to Target This Offseason

3. Blake Snell

Snell, one of only seven pitchers in MLB history to capture both the American League and National League Cy Young Award, didn't catch quite the attention last offseason as a free agent that he and agent Scott Boras were looking for. Coming off of a 2023 Cy Young season, Snell ultimately signed a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants in March 2024. Following his lone season with the Giants, Snell opted out of the second year of his deal on Nov. 1.

Per MLB insider Jeff Passan, the Red Sox have been talking to Snell, who turns 32 next month. The lefty put up a strong season in San Francisco. In 20 starts, the lefty posted a 5-3 record with a 3.12 ERA and a career-high 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings. However, a closer review reveals that after Snell returned from injury on July 9, he was absolutely dominant – recording a 5-0 record with a 1.23 ERA in his last 14 starts.

Last offseason, Snell was also tied to draft pick compensation, which is not the case this offseason. Concerns about sacrificing a draft pick and perhaps worries, if Snell was entering the back nine of his career, might have tamed his free agent market that time around. In the second half of 2024, Snell proved that he still has Cy Young-caliber stuff, so his market could heat up a bit more this time around.

Snell's agent, Scott Boras, is notorious for dragging negotiations out close to Opening Day (hence Snell signing on March 19 last offseason), so it will also be interesting to see how patient the Red Sox are willing to be as they build out their 2025 roster.