Could one team now be out of the market for SF Giants target after latest signing?

Th Boston Red Sox have added several pitchers to the rotation this offseason. The latest was signing Walker Buehler to a one-year, $21.05 million contract. Could this be the move that takes them out of the running for SF Giants target Corbin Burnes?

Could one team now be out of the market for SF Giants target after latest signing?

It is believed that Burnes would prefer to return to the West Coast, so Boston may not be a logical landing spot in the first place. While guaranteed years and money are some of the most important quantitative factors that sway free agents, geography and competitiveness are some of the most important qualitative factors.

That said, the Red Sox might be out of the running one way or the other. They have had a busy offseason thus far, trading for Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox and adding Buehler along with Patrick Sandoval in free agency.

The Red Sox signed Sandoval to a two-year, $18.25 million deal. He is expected to miss the start of the season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. However, Sandoval has been a starter for much of his career. Boston likely has rotation innings earmarked for him when he returns.

Let's call that 2.5 additions to the rotation this winter. The Red Sox also have several holdovers from last year's rotation. This includes Tanner Houck, Bryan Bello, and Kutter Crawford. Plus, Lucas Giolito is returning from Tommy John surgery and will earn $19 million in 2025 after exercising his player option. Similar to Sandoval, the Red Sox probably have rotation innings earmarked for Giolito when he returns.

The Red Sox will likely see Nick Pivetta walk in free agency after adding Buehler. He was one of the key arms in Boston's rotation last season but there is no obvious spot for him now.

There really is not an obvious spot for anyone at this point. In baseball, you can never have enough pitching. The Red Sox have quite a bit. In fact, Crochet Houch, and Bello all made at least 30 starts last season. The Red Sox are likely hoping for a similar workload from them in 2025 but they have insurance just in case. When you draw up a rotation for the season, the Red Sox already have a lot of innings committed to their current group of starters.

They could look to still add to the rotation but it will likely be moves around the margins at this point. Of course, if Corbin Burnes decided that he wants to pitch in Boston, the Red Sox could make a move or two to free up some space.

At this point in time, starting pitching is more of a want than a need. Teams generally approach free agency based on needs rather than wants. This could mean that the Red Sox no longer make sense on paper for a pitcher like Burnes.

They have often been speculated as one of the top landing spots for the four-time All-Star. If they are out on him, those could bode well for teams like the Giants and Toronto Blue Jays. Both teams have been connected to Burnes quite a bit this winter. The Red Sox moves should benefit either team as Burnes' market has likely shrunk by one.