Could Red Sox Pursue Top Free Agent After Reported Garrett Crochet Trade?

The Red Sox needed a frontline starter this offseason, but perhaps they won’t be stopping at one?

Just a fews hours after the Red Sox reportedly acquired Garrett Crochet in a blockbuster trade with the Chicago White Sox, Boston was included in speculation involving free-agent pitcher Corbin Burnes.

“(Scott) Boras has been in serious talks with the San Francisco Giants for Burnes, and has spoken to the Boston Red Sox and others,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote in a story published Wednesday evening.

Nightengale’s sentiments contrasted those from the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.

“I would say the Red Sox would be somewhat less likely to go for Corbin Burnes at this point,” Heyman said on MLB Network a few hours after Boston’s trade for Crochet. “Because, look, they had several good starters, they wanted a lefty. They’ve now added a starter, not only a starter but an outstanding one. So I would say they would be less likely. But Burnes still has a market, still has multiple teams interested.”

Heyman reported the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants are two teams vying for Burnes.The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal on Wednesday morning mentioned the Baltimore Orioles along with the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Giants.

If Boston does shift its priorities, it would be understandable. The Red Sox addressed their biggest need via the trade market. One could argue the Red Sox would be better off pursuing free-agent slugger Teoscar Hernandez or Alex Bregman, addressing other needs.

At the same time, no team can ever have too much pitching. And the opportunity to pair two stud left-handers, especially with Crochet playing on a team-friendly contract, would greatly improve the rotation.

Boston reportedly sent four prospects to the White Sox. Perhaps they’ll spend in a different way for Burnes.