By james art 
The hot stove season is about to begin in earnest and everyone will be watching to see how active the Boston Red Sox will be.
After a few quiet winters, the Red Sox started talking big this time around. GM Craig Breslow seems to recognize that his team needs a top-notch starting pitcher (among other, less pressing needs) and now the pressure is on to pull the trigger.
One of the subplots to the ace discussion is a close friendship that could give the Red Sox an edge. Atlanta Braves star Max Fried, one of the best pitchers on the market this winter, went to high school in Southern California with current Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito.
Giolito has already expressed his desire to have Fried join him in Boston, and a projection Sunday would grant the pitcher’s wish. Zach Presnell of Newsweek predicted that Freed would land with the Red Sox thanks to his friendship with Giolito, giving Boston the ace it had long been looking for.
“The Boston Red Sox are in desperate need of a starting pitcher this winter. Boston will be in the bidding wars for all the best hands,” Presnell said.
But Max Fried’s high school relationship with Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito is what moves the needle here. Freed leaves Atlanta and heads to Boston to reunite with Giolito.
Fried is still only 30, and his resume shines through eight major league seasons. He owns a career record of 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA, made two All-Star teams, owns three Gold Gloves and most importantly, won a World Series ring in 2021.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently predicted a six-year, $174 million contract for Fried, which would be the largest deal the Red Sox have given a pitcher since David Price in 2016. It’s the type of signing that fans have been praying for in recent years. a few winters and maybe this will be the year Breslow finally delivers.
More MLB: Red Sox urged to sign Dodgers’ projected superstar for $75 million by Insider