And Nathan Eovaldi threw a “Maddux.” Why can’t we get players like that?
Despite not wanting to negotiate in-season, Garrett Crochet was willing to make an exception when $170 million was put in front of him. Craig Breslow described the Crochet extension as one that “came together pretty quickly.” (Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald)
There is also some protection for a significant arm injury, reminiscent of the John Lackey deal signed in 2009, which led to his pitching for the minimum salary in 2015.
The Sox get a conditional option of $15M for 2032 if Crochet misses 120 consecutive days due to a significant arm injury. In the case of such an event, assuming it happened between 2026-30, his opt-out after 2030 would be voided.
If he avoids such an injury, then he gets the opt-out following 2030.— Alex Speier (@alexspeier.bsky.social) 2025-04-01T17:49:05.335Z
Breslow described this deal as “another step in charting the course toward sustainable organizational health, toward vying for division titles, for World Series championships year over year.” Steve Buckley tries to translate this GM-speak and concludes that the team would like to stay out of last place going forward. (Steve Buckley, The Athletic)
Alex Bregman posted a picture on Instagram holding a torpedo bat on Tuesday. I’m just glad that people (Trevor Megill) are still calling things “bush league.” That’s a term we can’t let go of. (Greg Dudek, NESN)
After exercising his opt-out in Boston a week ago, ex-Red Sox/ex-Yankee Adam Ottavino again signed with the Yankees for up to $1M. He got right into Tuesday’s game, pitching two-thirds of an inning with no runs allowed. (Associated Press)
Speaking of old school behavior, old friend Nathan Eovaldi threw a complete game shutout on Tuesday night. If that seems like extreme usage for a starting pitcher in week one of the season, it was also a “Maddux,” totaling just 99 pitches in a 1-0 win over Cincinnati. (Nick O’Malley, Mass Live)