Garrett Crochet wants a contract extension, and the Boston Red Sox are now looking to make their new ace a long-term fixture at Fenway Park. One of the biggest trade pieces the White Sox had at the trade deadline was Garrett Crochet, but his desire for an extension prevented a trade. He finished the season in Chicago before being acquired by the Red Sox in a blockbuster trade this past December.
Red Sox Working Towards Long-Term Deal with Garrett Crochet
The 25-year-old southpaw will not reach free agency until after the 2026 season, but Boston wants to secure a long-term deal sooner rather than later. A first-time All-Star last season, Crochet is coming off a career year with the White Sox. The reliever-turned-ace made 32 starts in 2024, posting a 3.58 ERA with 209 strikeouts over a career-high 146 innings. In the first half of the season, Crochet owned a 3.02 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 107 ⅓ innings. He also led the league with 150 strikeouts and a 12.6 strikeout-per-9-innings ratio going into the All-Star Break. Ultimately, this will make the reigning AL Comeback Player of the Year the most coveted starting pitcher available on the trade market.
After giving up a pair of top 100 prospects to acquire Crochet, it’s clear that Boston wants to extend him long-term. But so far, no deal has been reached. Crochet will make $3.8 million this season with one more arbitration season remaining – giving Boston an ace-caliber arm at a relatively affordable price.
Boston’s chief baseball officer, Craig Breslow, said last month that he and Garrett “are still getting to know each other.” Calling the young southpaw someone who can “help our team in the short term and potentially in the long term.”
Crochet is focusing on his first Red Sox Spring Training and leaving contract negotiations to his agent. He did not disclose whether or not any negotiations had begun when he spoke to the media earlier this month. While he sees a future in Boston and finds the long-term security attractive, he also wants to determine his worth.
Last year was Crochet’s first season as a starter after spending his first four major league seasons in the bullpen. His talent is evident, but last season was his first year with the full workload. Crochet pitched six innings after being drafted in 2020, then underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery the following year after 54 ⅓ innings. He missed the entire 2022 campaign before returning to the White Sox bullpen for 12 ⅔ innings in 2023. Chicago limited him in the second half last year, not for more than four innings in a start after June.
Still, despite his injury history and limited innings, ESPN’s Jeff Passan predicts his asking price will be over nine figures. Crochet’s camp could liken him to Tyler Glasnow, who secured a four-year, $110 million extension after the Dodgers trade. Glasnow was one year away from free agency at the time, and his career earnings were much higher than Crochet’s. Meanwhile, Crochet is an extra season away from free agency and surpassed Glasnow’s career high of 134 frames last season.
A deal between $20 million and $25 million in average annual value seems reasonable for Crochet. Though the Red Sox may want one healthier season under his belt before committing that kind of money.
Main Photo Credits: Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images
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