Red Sox, Blue Jays Expected To Enter Bidding War For Rotation 'Anchor'

Boston is going to be interesting to watch this offseason in free agency

Apr 29, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of the Boston Red Sox logo and a field bag during batting practice before the game between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

It sounds like the Boston Red Sox are going to have plenty of competition for one of the best starting pitchers on the open market.

Boston is looking to add high-end talent to the top of the starting rotation and ESPN's Jeff Passan called Atlanta Braves star Max Fried the type of pitcher the Red Sox want to "anchor" their rotation around but also said the Toronto Blue Jays are in on him.

"Max Fried, left-handed starter: He's exactly the sort of pitcher the Red Sox would like to anchor their rotation as their ascent back to contention begins," Passan said. "Toronto is in. (The San Francisco Giants) and (Baltimore Orioles) will be part of the mix, too. And don't forget the (Los Angeles Dodgers), who are targeting at least one high-end starter. Fried, 31 on Opening Day, looks likely to get the second-largest guarantee for a pitcher this winter after posting a major-league-best 2.81 ERA over the past five seasons."

Fried is going to get paid like a star this winter. Spotrac is projecting him to land a deal worth roughly $136 million over six years. This seems like it could be on the lower side for the All-Star lefty. There will be plenty of teams involved in the bidding war and it sounds like the Red Sox and Blue Jays at least will be in the mix for him.

He's the exact type of player that could take Boston to another level. Fried has a 3.07 ERA across eight big-league seasons and is a two-time All-Star. It sounds like Boston is ready to spend heavily again, and Fried will be the most interesting player to watch for.

More MLB: Giants Superstar Predicted To Sign $158 Million Deal With Red Sox