BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox have made headlines this offseason with their recent trade for left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet, setting the stage for what could be an active winter as they work to rejuvenate their roster.
Dealing some of their top prospects, the Red Sox acquired Crochet from the Chicago White Sox, bringing on board what team executives hope will be a cornerstone for their starting rotation. Crochet, who was selected for the American League All-Star team early in his career, is known for his impressive pitching skills, boasting a 6-12 record with a 3.58 ERA across 32 starts.
“The opportunity to play for the market of Boston, the fan base that's representing the Red Sox is about as great of an opportunity as you can come by in this game,” Crochet said, expressing his excitement about the move. He added, “And I grew up watching Big Papi, so it's going to be a very surreal moment to play where he played.”
The Red Sox had not made the playoffs since 2021, and there’s urgency to make significant improvements for the upcoming season. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is orchestrated to avoid another collapse like the one experienced last season.
With Crochet, Boston instantly adds depth to its starting rotation. Before this off-season, the Red Sox struggled significantly after the midway point of the season, and Breslow understands the need to act decisively this winter.
“Having already landed Crochet, the Red Sox could enter next season with an intimidating rotation if they can land this winter's most-prized hurler,” Kerry Miller reported from Bleacher Report, outlining the team's continued ambitions to secure top-tier pitching.
The Red Sox are reportedly eyeing Corbin Burnes, who has previously posted remarkable statistics during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers. The team is willing to invest heavily to address their pitching needs without risking their future, as seen with past trades and contracts.
Alongside potential signings, the trade for Crochet symbolizes Boston breaking from previous management’s conservative approach under Chaim Bloom, which centered around stockpiling prospects rather than making bold moves. Crochet promises to fill the void left by former star Chris Sale, the last pitcher who held such promise for postseason matchups.
“Not since Chris Sale, pre-Tommy John, have the Red Sox had such a person in their rotation,” was emphasized by analysts as they noted the importance of acquiring such talent going forward.
But the move does come with risks; Crochet has undergone Tommy John surgery and has only amassed 219 innings pitched at the major league level. While his potential is noteworthy, the Red Sox also parted with notable prospects like catcher Kyle Teel and outfielder Braden Montgomery, promising talents with high ceilings.
“Even after subtracting two of the organization’s top five prospects, the Red Sox still have three other prospects ranked among the top 30 in MLB,” analysts noted, underscoring the depth still available within their system.
While Crochet will don No. 35, previously worn by Richard Bleier, the search for reinforcements doesn't seem to stop at this trade. The Red Sox still possess significant financial resources to explore more opportunities this offseason. Reports suggest they previously considered offering Juan Soto about $700 million before he joined the New York Mets.
There are still holes to fill on the roster, with positions like starting pitcher and right-handed bats remaining high on the team's priority list. One name that's come up is Walker Buehler, the two-time All-Star who faced challenges during his recovery from surgery but showed promise during the postseason.
“That said, there are other attractive free agent rotation options on the Sox’ radar who wouldn’t require a qualifying offer,” noted the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, indicating the expansive avenues the team is exploring.
Much of Boston’s recent success with pitchers can be attributed to the efforts of pitching coach Andrew Bailey, who has capitalized on the talents of players like Crochet.
The Red Sox are clearly re-establishing themselves as active contenders not just for the next season but for future playoffs, and fans are hopeful they can recapture the magic of previous championship runs.
There is still much to be determined as the offseason progresses, but with their acquisition of Garrett Crochet and potential future moves, the Boston Red Sox are signaling they are ready to make their mark once more on Major League Baseball.
