MLB free agent rankings: Top 10 starting pitchers

MLB free agent rankings: Top 10 starting pitchers originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

This offseason has a familiar feeling for Boston Red Sox fans. After missing the playoffs for the fifth time in six years, the club needs to focus on the pitching phase.

Last year, when Craig Breslow replaced Chaim Bloom as president of baseball operations, the Red Sox responded to the rotation by signing Lucas Giolito and little-known swingman Cooper Criswell. Giolito did not pitch for Boston in 2024 due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.

Even though Giolito is expected to return in 2025, more needs to be done to improve the pitching staff. To achieve this, Breslow and Co. will either have to make a blockbuster trade or invest big money in free agency. Boston has been hesitant to make any of these moves in recent offseasons.

Still, there will be options for them in the 2025 free agent class. It's not the strongest group of starters, but there are some tempting options for the Red Sox if John Henry finally wants to get his wallet out.

Here's a look at the top 10 starting pitchers set to hit the open market.

1. Corbin Burnes, RHP

Age: 30

Statistics for 2024: 15-8, 2.95 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 172 SO, 47 BB, 189.1 IP (31 starts)

Corbin Burnes lived up to expectations as a true ace after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Baltimore Orioles. The 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner was part of the O's team and was selected to the All-Star Game for the fourth consecutive year, this time starting for the American League.

Burnes will cost a pretty penny as the most sought-after pitcher on the market, but he will almost certainly be worth the high price tag. He has proven to be one of the most consistent starters in the game (three straight years with 30+ starts) and is virtually guaranteed to have an ERA of around 3.00, around 200 innings and 200 strikeouts in a season.

2. Blake Snell, LHP

Age: 32

Statistics for 2024: 5-3, 3.12 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 145 SO, 44 BB, 104 IP (20 starts)

Note: Snell has a $38.5 million player option with the San Francisco Giants for 2025.

Despite winning the 2023 NL Cy Young Award, Snell did not sign his free agent contract until March 27, the eve of Opening Day. This time around, it shouldn't take as long for teams to throw money at him.

Snell posted the best K/9 ratio (12.5) and FIP (2.43) of his career, proving that his second Cy Young season was no fluke. If it turns out as expected, it will be one of the most sought-after guns on the market.

3. Max Fried, LHP

Age: 31

Statistics for 2024: 10-10, 3.42 ERA, 1.195 WHIP, 157 SO, 55 BB, 165.2 IP (28 starts)

Fried has been one of the most consistent starters in the game since 2020. The veteran left-hander has posted an ERA of 3.25 or lower in every season since, earning two All-Star nominations, a runner-up NL Cy Young finish, and three Gold Gloves in the process. He was instrumental in the Braves' 2021 World Series title.

Arguably the best left-handed hitter available, Fried will be expensive. But after him, Burnes and Snell, there aren't many true aces left in this year's free agent class.

4. Jack Flaherty, RHP

Age: 29

Statistics for 2024: 13-7, 3.17 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 194 SO, 55 BB, 162 IP (28 starts)

Flaherty bet on himself when he signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers in free agency. This decision paid off as he enjoyed an excellent rebound in 2024.

He made 18 starts with Detroit, posting a 2.85 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 133 strikeouts before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. With LA, he posted a 3.58 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 61 strikeouts in 10 starts.

There is a fairly steep drop from the Burnes/Snell/Fried trio to the Flaherty stage. Still, the 29-year-old right winger should attract plenty of attention in free agency after showcasing his undeniable strengths.

5. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP

Age: 35

Statistics for 2024: 11-8, 3.96 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 161 SO, 41 BB, 163.2 IP (28 starts)

Note: Eovaldi has a $20 million player option with the Texas Rangers for 2025.

Eovaldi followed his strong debut season in Texas with an arguably even better 2024 season. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the two-time World Series champion opt for his $20 million contract and stay with his hometown team, but as a proven veteran with a postseason, he would almost certainly earn more on the open market.

6. Sean Manaea

Age: 33

Statistics for 2024: 12-5, 3.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 183 SO, 61 BB, 178 IP (31 starts)

Note: Manaea has a $13.5 million player option with the New York Mets for 2025.

Manaea led the Mets to the postseason in 2024 as the star of the pitching staff. The veteran southpaw posted the best ERA of his nine-year career with 181.2 innings. While some regression is to be expected, he will be an excellent addition for teams looking for a reliable starter in the middle of the rotation.

7. Michael Wacha, RHP

Age: 33

Statistics for 2024: 13-8, 3.28 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 143 SO, 44 BB, 161.2 IP (28 starts)

Note: Wacha has a $16 million player option with the Kansas City Royals for 2025.

Perhaps the Royals' surprisingly successful season is enough to convince Wacha to exercise his player option. However, the experienced right-back continued to prove himself worthy of a multi-year contract with another outstanding season. As he gets older he gets better and better.

8. Luis Severino, RHP

Age: 31

2024 Stats: 11-7, 3.97 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 161 SO, 60 BB, 182 IP (31 starts)

Severino was one of the biggest comeback players of the season. After a terrible end to his Yankees career, the veteran right-hander moved to Queens and reminded the league what he's capable of when healthy. He likely secured a sizable deal as a free agent.

9. Yusei Kikuchi, LHP

Age: 33

Statistics for 2024: 9-10, 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 206 SO, 44 BB, 175.2 IP (32 starts)

Kikuchi struggled this season with the Toronto Blue Jays, but found something after being traded to the Houston Astros at the deadline. The Japanese left-hander was one of the league's best pitchers in the second half, posting a 2.70 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 10 starts (60 innings) with Houston. It would be foolish to expect these numbers to continue into 2025, but Kikuchi has at least established himself as a solid middle-of-the-rotation target this offseason.

10. Shane Bieber, RHP

Age: 29

Statistics for 2024: 2-4, 3.95 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 40 SO, 10 BB, 43.1 IP (nine starts)

Bieber rounds out the list as a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year. The 2020 AL Cy Young is expected to return from Tommy John surgery in May or June, and even if he's no longer the Cy Young, he should still be a valuable player for teams that need to start pitching. The main concern is that his speed has dropped significantly in 2023, which could deter some clubs.

Honorable Mentions: Matthew Boyd, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Walker Buehler, Charlie Morton, Clayton Kershaw, Alex Cobb, Jose Quintana, Nick Pivetta, Andrew Heaney, Michael Lorenzen, Nick Martinez, Martin Perez.