Forst refutes Fried’s reported interest in free agency by the Athletics

Forst refutes Fried’s reported interest in free agency by the Athletics, which originally surfaced on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Athletics have been aggressive in trying to improve the starting lineup this offseason, but perhaps not as aggressively as some thought.

After signing veteran right-hander Luis Severino to a franchise-record three-year, $67 million contract last week, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale unexpectedly reported Wednesday that the Athletics were one of the “most aggressive” teams to sign free agency. Agent links followed. pitcher Max Fried before agreeing to a reported eight-year, $218 million contract with the New York Yankees on Tuesday, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Wednesday.

However, Athletics general manager David Forst refuted Nightengale’s report while speaking to reporters at the MLB winter meetings in Dallas.

Although the Athletics did inquire about Fried at some point, it appears that they were not a serious suitor for the star pitcher, who, had he signed with the Athletics, likely would have blown up Severino’s current record-breaking contract with the franchise.

The Athletics are notoriously not a team that often goes after the very best free agents on the market, which is why Nightengale’s report surprised so many.

However, it was much ado about nothing.