Giolito recruiting Fried to join Red Sox

Lucas Giolito wants to reunite with Max Fried on the Boston Red Sox, and he's already started recruiting his high school teammate.

"What, you think I haven't already talked to him about it?" Giolito recently told the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast.

Giolito added, "We played high school ball together, and we always talked about how cool it would be if we'd be on the same team in the big leagues. Legitimate conversations we would have when we were 17. So, this is the shot to make it a reality."

Fried and Giolito attended Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, where the baseball team also featured Dodgers right-hander Jack Flaherty.

Giolito believes the Red Sox need more left-handed starting pitching, which makes Fried the perfect target.

"I think he would fit in great," Giolito said of Fried.

"Obviously, I think the need is there. You look at the starting pitcher depth chart, you don't see a lot of LHP. In my opinion, he's the best, most consistent left-handed starting pitcher. I think it's a good fit."

Giolito didn't pitch for the Red Sox in 2024 after undergoing elbow surgery. He has a $19-million player option for 2025, which he is expected to exercise.

Meanwhile, Fried is a free agent for the first time. The 30-year-old is one of the top pitchers available after eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves. He recorded 73 wins and compiled a 3.07 ERA in 884 1/3 innings.