MLB free agent rankings: Top 10 starting pitchers originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
This offseason has a familiar feel to it for Boston Red Sox fans. After missing the playoffs for the fifth time in six years, the club needs to prioritize starting pitching.
Last year, with Craig Breslow replacing Chaim Bloom as president of baseball operations, the Red Sox addressed the rotation by signing Lucas Giolito and little-known swingman Cooper Criswell. Giolito didn’t throw a pitch for Boston in 2024 due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.
Even with Giolito expected to return in 2025, more needs to be done to improve the pitching staff. To do so, Breslow and Co. will either have to pull off a blockbuster trade or spend some big money in free agency. Boston has been reluctant to make either of those moves in recent offseasons.
Nonetheless, there will be options for them in the 2025 free-agent class. It isn’t the strongest group of starting pitchers, but there are some enticing options for the Red Sox if John Henry wants to finally break out the wallet.
Here’s a look at the top 10 starting pitchers set to hit the open market.
1. Corbin Burnes, RHP
Age: 30
2024 stats: 15-8, 2.95 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 172 SO, 47 BB, 189.1 IP (31 starts)
Corbin Burnes lived up to expectations as a bonafide ace after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Baltimore Orioles. The 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner anchored the O’s staff and was selected to the All-Star Game for the fourth consecutive year, this time starting for the American League.
Burnes will cost a pretty penny as the most coveted pitcher on the market, but he’ll almost certainly be worth the hefty price tag. He’s proven to be one of the most durable starters in the game (three straight years with 30+ starts) and is a virtual lock to post an ERA around 3.00, roughly 200 innings, and 200 strikeouts in a season.
2. Blake Snell, LHP
Age: 32
2024 stats: 5-3, 3.12 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 145 SO, 44 BB, 104 IP (20 starts)
Note: Snell has a $38.5 million player option with the San Francisco Giants for 2025.
Despite winning the 2023 NL Cy Young award, Snell didn’t sign his free-agent contract until March 27, the eve of Opening Day. It shouldn’t take so long for teams to throw money at him this time around.
Snell posted the best K/9 rate (12.5) and FIP (2.43) of his career to prove his second Cy Young season was no fluke. If he opts out as expected, he’ll be among the most sought-after arms…