Red Sox Lose $218 Million Bidding War To Yankees For 2-Time All-Star

The Boston Red Sox have been trying to get a major deal done but things just haven't worked out in their favor so far at the Winter Meetings.

Aug 14, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a New York Yankees hat and glove on the bench against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Boston was heavily involved in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, but he ended up signing with the New York Mets on a reported $765 million deal. The Red Sox made a historic offer of their own, but the Mets came out on top.

Since before the Soto sweepstakes heated up, Boston has been linked to two-time All-Star Max Fried but it didn't get a deal done. Fried reportedly is signing a massive eight-year, $218 million deal with the New York Yankees, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

"Breaking: Left-hander Max Fried and the New York Yankees are in agreement on an eight-year, $218 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN," Passan said. "It is the largest guarantee in baseball history for a left-handed pitcher."

New York and Boston have been linked to the left-handed star for some time now along with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Entering the offseason, Spotrac projected Fried to land a six-year, $136 million deal. Clearly, contracts have exploded this offseason and Fried blew the projection out of the water by two years and roughly $80 million.

Unfortunately, the Red Sox missed out. Now, they will need to quickly pivot if they want to add a top-tier starter. Corbin Burnes, who was considered the top free-agent starter available is still out there. There are other options like Sean Manaea, Nathan Eovaldi, and Jack Flaherty available as well. How will Boston pivot now?