Next Red Sox Ace? Why Max Fried Is Ideal Fit To Headline Boston’s Rotation
The Boston Red Sox are an ace (and a few other moves) away from solidifying themselves as a true postseason contender. It’s been three seasons since the ballclub qualified for the playoffs and the urgency to end that is underway this offseason.
Max Fried should be among the names considered for the Red Sox. The 2021 World Series championship etched his impact with the Atlanta Braves for several seasons and he emerged as one of the top starters in baseball. He may not throw 100 MPH, but he gets hitters out with a solid pitch mix that could improve with Andrew Bailey’s input.
He would also give the Red Sox the left-hander the rotation currently lacks with Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello, Tanner Houck and Lucas Giolito.
Fried will command a legitimate $100 million contract, though his value may be more appealing to the Red Sox than other top starters on the market.
With that said, here are the resume points that should intrigue Boston when considering Fried’s services on the mound.
ESTABLISHED FRONTLINE STARTER
Whether he was the true No. 1 on paper or not, which often depended on the year, Fried already took the lead of the staff on a championship team in his career.
He’s started the clinching game of the World Series. He’s made All-Star teams in the National League. He’s received Cy Young votes. Oh, and as an added bonus for a Red Sox club that desperately needs defensive improvement, he’s a three-time Gold Glover.
Boston is a step up market-wise from Atlanta, but Fried proved he can rise to the occasion and shoulder the responsibilities of an ace should he unite with the Red Sox.
SOFT CONTACT
Let’s talk about the qualities that actually matter for the Red Sox in how Fried will get hitters out with his next MLB franchise.
Fried mixes his pitches exceptionally well and rarely allows hard contact or barrels at a high rate. He’s a ground-ball-inducing machine that can pitch to contact and get the swings and misses with an exceptional curveball when he needs to.
The left-hander also keeps the ball in the ballpark. The only time he allowed more than 20 home runs in a season came in 2019. That’s key for someone who may face several right-handed heavy lineups at hitter-friendly Fenway Park.
CONSISTENCY
When Fried is healthy, which is most of his big-league career, he posts and gives his team a strong chance to win. The Red Sox need that on a regular basis to complement a capable lineup.
Fried has four seasons with over 28 starts and four more with an ERA under 3.00. That’s tough to find and shouldn’t be a diminishing trend in the future as he enters his age-31 season in 2025.