Red Sox target reportedly lands with Yankees on monster contract

The Boston Red Sox still need a front-line starter this offseason. They need to find another option after the New York Yankees landed one of their top targets.

The Yankees reportedly agreed to a megadeal with left-hander Max Fried for eight years and $218 million, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Rosenthal reported earlier Tuesday that Fried was expected to make a decision by Thursday, sparking a bidding war between the longtime rivals. Multiple reports predicted the starter’s decision would rest with the Red Sox and Yankees. In the end, New York made a quick turnaround after losing the Juan Soto sweepstakes to acquire a talented left-hander behind ace Gerrit Cole.

Corbin Burnes is now the top remaining free agent starter, while Garrett Crochet, Dylan Cease and Luis Castillo could all be interesting trade partners for the Red Sox.

At this point in the Winter Meetings, the message is clear: The market, particularly in pitching, is expensive. The value may not be accurate, but that is the current reality. The Red Sox will have to make do with dollars or prospects to get to the front line they desperately need.

The winter meetings in Dallas continue through Thursday.