The Boston Red Sox have a clear need for top-tier pitching. Red Sox could get lucky as this offseason offers promising options. With big names like Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, and Blake Snell hitting the open market, the Red Sox are well-positioned to add an ace. However, there’s also the intriguing possibility that Craig Breslow could look for a high-risk, high-reward arm like Shane Bieber.

Bieber, despite some injury concerns in recent seasons, remains a potential game-changer at the top of any rotation. His 2020 Cy Young campaign showcased his elite abilities, and if he can return to form, he could be a bargain on a short-term deal. For the Red Sox, who are looking for both immediate impact and long-term value, signing Bieber could be a strategic gamble with enormous upside.

Red Sox have eyes on Shane Bieber despite health concerns 

According to Robert Murray of FanSided, Boston has already made inquiries into the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner. They’re exploring every way to bolster their pitching staff. In a video uploaded on X, Murray said, “Bieber is going to end up having a pretty strong market. I could see the Red Sox being in play there as well.  I think they’ve had some conversations with Bieber’s representation, so we’ll see there. But Bieber does have a good market so far.” So, if all is good, why aren’t other teams approaching Bieber?

The biggest concern with Shane Bieber is his health. After only making two starts for Cleveland in 2024, the former Cy Young winner underwent Tommy John surgery. That will sideline him for a significant portion of the 2025 season. As a result, Bieber likely won’t be available until the middle of next year as he works his way back from the major procedure. The question is whether Boston can afford to wait for him to return to full strength. Amidst this dilemma, another player has declined Red Sox’s extended offer. 

Nick Pivetta declines the qualifying offer 

When Craig Breslow extended the qualifying offer to Nick Pivetta in early November, it was met with huge skepticism from Red Sox fans. After all, Pivetta was coming off a season with bad numbers. He didn’t seem like a pitcher deserving of a $21.05 million commitment. Fans thought he’d be taking that deal without a doubt. But boy, did he surprise. 

Breslow wasn’t making a rash move; in fact, he read the pitching market with precision. Fast forward to this week; Pivetta is ready to test free agency. It’s a decision that could work out beautifully for Boston – since the Sox were under the first competitive balance tax threshold in 2024, they’re now in line to receive a compensatory draft pick if Pivetta signs elsewhere. This is a strategic play that opens up plenty of options for the Red Sox this offseason.

Instead of tying up money in a player who hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, Breslow now has the potential to spend elsewhere, all while adding a valuable draft pick to the team’s arsenal. For fans who were ready to lose their minds when the offer went out, it looks like Breslow knew exactly what he was doing all along. It might not have been the boldest move, but it was certainly smart.