The Yankees, Red Sox, and Orioles have all missed out on signing top pitchers Blake Snell and Yusei Kikuchi, while they were focused on acquiring Juan Soto.
The MLB free agency is heating up as teams compete for Juan Soto, following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series victory and Shohei Ohtani’s MVP win. While the Yankees have prioritized re-signing Soto, the Dodgers have secured a five-year, $182-million deal with Blake Snell. However, the Red Sox and Orioles, both contenders for Soto, were unable to sign Snell and Yusei Kikuchi from the Houston Astros.
According to MLB columnist Jon Heyman, the Red Sox were in pursuit of both Snell and Kikuchi before losing out. The team is actively seeking rotation upgrades, with a preference for left-handed pitchers. Despite missing out on their targets, reports suggest that the Red Sox will now focus on other prominent pitchers available in the market.
Notably, the Yankees, Red Sox, and Orioles were all vying for Blake Snell before he ultimately signed with the Dodgers. Senior reporter and MLB insider Mark Feinsand expects these three teams to remain active in the pitching market, with pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, and Jack Flaherty among the top options.
The Red Sox, in particular, had their sights set on Blake Snell, who had an impressive season with the San Francisco Giants. However, Snell decided to join the Dodgers in free agency, potentially driven by the desire to maximize his chances of winning a World Series. After a challenging 2023 season plagued by injuries, Snell bounced back and pitched the second-most innings of his career last season, leading the MLB in complete games with two. Throughout his tenure with the Atlanta Braves, Snell maintained an impressive 3.07 ERA (140 ERA+) and a 1.164 WHIP.
With Snell off the table, the Red Sox have shifted their focus to Max Fried, aiming to secure another impactful pitcher. The team has long sought to improve their performance after missing the postseason for three consecutive years. In the previous season, they finished with an 81-81 record, placing third in the highly competitive American League East division.
As for the Orioles, their pursuit of top pitchers Snell and Kikuchi ended in disappointment. The team will now need to explore other options to bolster their pitching staff.
In conclusion, the Yankees, Red Sox, and Orioles were unable to secure top pitchers Blake Snell and Yusei Kikuchi in their pursuit of Juan Soto. While the Dodgers secured Snell, the Red Sox are now focusing on Max Fried, and all three teams are expected to continue actively pursuing pitching talent in the market.
