How much could it cost the Red Sox to sign free-agent starter Max Fried?

The Boston Red Sox may return most of their rotation from 2024 for the 2025 season, but they are still trying to improve the top spots to have a better chance at the postseason.

With Lucas Giolito expected to make his debut with the club after missing all of last year with an elbow injury, Boston could add a pitcher or two, and they are known to be interested in signing free-agent starter Max Fried fetch.

How much would the Red Sox have to pay for Fried’s services? Earlier in the offseason, MLB insider Jon Heyman predicted that Fried would sign a six-year, $166 million deal with the Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs or would sign with the San Francisco Giants.

Heyman is known to be closely linked to a number of agents, and Fried is represented by CAA. So this could be exactly what they’re looking for as a free agent this offseason.

That price would be the second-highest deal the club has ever given to an outside free agent, behind only David Price, who signed a seven-year, $217 million contract with Boston in December 2015.

The Red Sox rotation could use a lefty, and one of Fried’s caliber could take this team to the next level.

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