ESPN: The Red Sox sign a long-term contract extension with talented pitcher.
The Boston Red Sox acquired the Chicago White Sox’s top pitcher in a December deal. Talented left-hander Garrett Crochet was traded to the Windy City for right-handed pitcher Wikelman Gonzalez, outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth, and catcher Kyle Teel.
The Red Sox hope that Crochet’s influence will last past the 2025 season, even though he will be an instant improvement to their pitching corps. A recent report claims that Boston and Crochet are both interested in signing a long-term contract extension.
Crochet and the Red Sox are said to have a “strong mutual interest” in a long-term contract extension, according to insider Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com (via Boston Sports Gordo on X):
According to Cotillo, “Garrett Crochet is the roster’s clear top extension candidate, and there is thought to be strong mutual interest in hammering something out soon.” “The average annual value/CBT on him will be significantly higher than it is now ($3.8 million) if that occurs ($20 million? $25 million?).”
A great addition to the Red Sox rotation is crochet. While playing on the weakest club in baseball last season, he has a 3.58 ERA, is left-handed, and has tremendous bat-missing ability (he fanned 209 men in 2024).
His inability to be controlled for extended periods of time is the sole disadvantage. He still has one more arbitration year left on his 2025 contract. He will be a free agent in 2027, but the Red Sox are making every effort to keep that from happening.
It would be prudent to expand crochet outside Boston.
He is only 25 years old, so he has youth on his side and the potential is clear, but crocheting doesn’t have a long history of success or health. Given that he is already nearing free agency, a possible deal is likely to be costly. The pitcher and his club seem amenable to an extension, which is excellent news for the Red Sox.
There are always dangers involved with extending a player, particularly a pitcher. Throughout his very brief major league career, the left-hander hasn’t exactly been the healthiest person. Crochet is a strong contender to provide the Red Sox the steadiness and upside they need in the long run. Good pitching is expensive, but the Red Sox are aware of that. Finding common ground is now the key.
