The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have one of the most bitter rivalries in sports and this winter, both clubs could be involved in an epic bidding war.
Boston desperately needs to acquire a bonified ace this offseason. However, landing a top free-agent starting pitcher will require Red Sox owner John Henry to dig deep into his pockets, which he has been reluctant to do recently.
The Yankees' top priority this winter is re-signing superstar Juan Soto, but that doesn't mean they won't look to shake up the starting pitchers' market. Could the Yankees outbid the Red Sox for a highly coveted hurler predicted to join Boston?
"Beyond Soto, what Boston really needs most is pitching," ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote Friday. "Even with Lucas Giolito expected to return from elbow surgery, they need a frontline starting pitcher to spearhead their rotation," Passan continued. "There are plenty available. And if they choose wisely, the Red Sox have a chance to be scary sooner than later. The perfect transaction: Sign free-agent left-hander Blake Snell."
Snell has posted a 76-58 record with a 3.19 ERA, 2.76-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .210 batting average against and a 1.22 WHIP throughout his nine-year career, during which he played for the Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants.
Suppose the Yankees fail to re-sign Soto, which is a genuine possibility. In that case, they'll look to acquire Snell, Max Fried, or Corbin Burnes, according to New York Post's Jon Heyman, who reported the news Wednesday on Bleacher Report's Walk-Off.
Landing Snell won't come cheap. The two-time Cy Young recipient's projected market value is roughly $160 million over a five-year deal, translating to nearly $32 million annually, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
Things could get interesting this winter if Soto signs anywhere but the Yankees. If a bidding war for Snell occurs between the Bronx and Boston this winter, it's tough to imagine the Red Sox outbidding the wealthiest team in baseball. Then again, they're bitter rivals, so perhaps we could see Henry muster up the capital necessary to reel in the gifted southpaw.
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