Red Sox Among 'Best Bets' To Land Cy Young Award Winner After Lights-Out Season

Boston reportedly could land a two-time Cy Young Award winner this offseason

Patrick McAvoy | Dec 13, 2023

Red Sox Among 'Best Bets' To Land Cy Young Award Winner After Lights-Out Season /

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The Boston Red Sox's starting rotation surely will look different next year, but who will be in it?

Boston needs a lot of work. The only two players with solidified roles at this point are Brayan Bello as well as Chris Sale if healthy. The Red Sox need to add at least one or two hurlers in free agency or through trade.

Adding a depth piece would be helpful, but Boston needs top-of-the-rotation talent if it wants to compete in the American League East. The Red Sox have been targeting Orix Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but if it misses out will have to turn its attention elsewhere.

One pitcher the Red Sox are among the "best fits" for is former Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres star Blake Snell, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden.

"Snell went 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA and 234 strikeouts over 32 starts," Bowden said. "He didn't allow a run in five of his last six starts and was one of the bright spots for the Padres in a disappointing season. However, he's only pitched 130 innings or more in two of his last eight seasons, although he did win a Cy Young Award both years (2018 with the Tampa Bay and this year with San Diego).

"Snell's market has been quiet but most team executives believe that if Yamamoto declines the (New York Mets') offer, they will pivot to Snell. Best fits: Mets, Red Sox, (San Francisco Giants), and (Los Angeles Dodgers)."

Bowden compiled a list of the top remaining free agents and predicted their landing spots. Snell has been mentioned as a fit on multiple occasions and it sounds like if the Red Sox miss out on Yamamoto they could turn their focus to him.

Snell may not have the upside of Yamamoto, but he is a two-time Cy Young Award winner and immediately would be the Red Sox's top arm. Don't be surprised if rumors heat up between the two sides.

More MLB: Ex-Red Sox Top Prospect Officially DFA'd By NL East Club After Inconsistent Season

Published Dec 13, 2023

PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu