The Boston Red Sox have missed the playoffs since 2021, and fans and analysts alike believe it’s time for a more aggressive approach from the front office to change the team’s trajectory. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow took a cautious stance in building the roster last offseason, a move that didn’t pan out as hoped. With this winter’s market offering high-profile players in both trades and free agency, the Red Sox may need to make some big moves to strengthen their roster and compete seriously in 2025.
One intriguing target for the Red Sox is Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet, a player CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa believes could significantly impact a team hovering near playoff contention. “Every team could use [Garrett] Crochet,” Axisa noted, suggesting that the Red Sox, Texas Rangers, and Cincinnati Reds are among teams that could benefit from Crochet’s skills to potentially secure a postseason spot.
The 25-year-old southpaw, who completed the 2024 season with the Chicago White Sox, has drawn considerable attention in trade discussions. Crochet recorded a 6-12 record, a 3.58 ERA, and a 209-to-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 146 innings. His performance included holding opponents to a .222 batting average with a 1.07 WHIP. However, he expressed a desire not to pitch in the postseason if traded during the summer deadline, resulting in him remaining with the White Sox, one of the lowest-performing teams in MLB history. Now, he looks toward the winter trade market, where he’s anticipated to be a highly sought-after player.
Spotrac estimates Crochet’s market value at approximately $129 million over seven years, or around $18 million annually. As a 2020 first-round draft pick, Crochet still has two arbitration-eligible years remaining, meaning the Red Sox could bring him on board without a substantial payroll addition, though it would require trading promising prospects to the rebuilding White Sox.
For Boston, acquiring a young, controllable pitcher like Crochet could be a smart move in their bid to regain playoff status. Adding a talent of his caliber could provide a cornerstone for the pitching rotation and signal the Red Sox’s commitment to making meaningful changes. With a competitive free-agent market this offseason, investing in a proven arm like Crochet could be a pivotal step in returning the Red Sox to contention.
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