The Boston Red Sox saw their younger starting pitchers take strides forward in 2024. They’ll get another experienced starter back from injury next season in Lucas Giolito.
Those are positive developments for the Red Sox, yet they still need an ace to truly lead the rotation.
Max Fried would fit that build for Boston after an outstanding tenure with the Atlanta Braves. Few players know Fried better than Giolito, his high school teammate, who hopes to spark a reunion in Boston.
“What, you think I haven’t already talked to him about it?” Giolito shared on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast. “We played high school ball together and we always talked about how cool it would be if we were on the same team in the big leagues. Legitimate conversations we would have when we were 17. So, this is the shot to make it a reality right here.”
Fried, a talented left-hander and World Series champion, posted a 73-36 record with a 3.07 ERA during his career with the Braves. He’s an innings-eater with solid stuff, marking the perfect pitcher to elevate talent for the Red Sox and keep other arms fresh.
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“Obviously, I think he would fit in great,” Giolito said. “I think that the need is there. You look at the starting pitcher depth chart, you don’t see a lot of LHP. In my opinion, he’s the best, most consistent left-handed starting pitcher. I think it’s a good fit. Obviously, I’m a little biased.”
The offseason should get hot as the winter rolls in. Keep an eye on how the Red Sox plan to trot out their starting rotation in 2025.
