MLB Insider Anticipates Red Sox-Yankees ‘Bidding War’ For Lefty

Certain generations of baseball fans are used to seeing the Red Sox and Yankees compete for high-end free agents, and that’s the case this offseason.

Boston and New York are in the hunt for Juan Soto with the Bronx Bombers reportedly upping their bid to try to retain the 26-year-old. The American League East rivals also could use upgrades to their pitching staffs.

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported Wednesday that the Red Sox, Yankees and Baltimore Orioles were in the market for Blake Snell. The Los Angeles Dodgers won that sweepstakes after reportedly agreeing to a massive deal with the two-time Cy Young winner. Feinsand doesn’t anticipate Boston or New York sitting back on the other top pitchers in the market.

“The Red Sox and Yankees are believed to be seeking a left-handed starter, which could ultimately mean a bidding war between the rivals for Max Fried,” Feinsand wrote.”

Boston could have the edge over New York for the All-Star pitcher. Fried is good friends with Lucas Giolito, who he attended Game 1 of the World Series with. The sentiment around the industry also linked Fried with the Red Sox more often than with the Yankees.

Feinsand added that the club that doesn’t land Fried might shift to the trade market for Garrett Crochet, another pitcher the Red Sox have been linked to this offseason. The MLB insider might think it might be one or the other, but it’s not that unrealistic for Boston to acquire both Crochet and Fried.

There will be other teams that might swoop in, but Boston has a strong chance to not only land top free agents but also stick it to a division rival.