The Boston Red Sox pulled off a blockbuster deal last week, acquiring left-handed starter Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox for a quartet of prospects, vastly improving their rotation for at least the next two seasons.
However, this shouldn’t be the end of the big moves for Boston, they should be trying to do two things right now – signing another top-end starter and inking Crochet to an extension.
Red Sox owner John Henry may be the one standing in the way of these moves.
“After getting burned on nine-figure contracts for Sale and David Price, Red Sox owner John Henry is reluctant to award long-term deals to pitchers, according to sources briefed on his thinking,” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote recently.
That’s something that has to change if the Red Sox want to build a sustainable winning culture for the foreseeable future.
Crochet, who posted a 3.58 ERA in 32 starts in his first season in the role for the White Sox last year, is reportedly open to signing an extension with his new team.
“When Crochet’s name first surfaced in connection with the Red Sox back in October, a person who knows Crochet well said the pitcher would welcome some stability and would be eager to sign an extension with a new team,” MassLive’s Sean McAdam wrote on the day of the trade.
There are other options still on the market who could agree to a long-term deal, including former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes. The 30-year-old recorded a 2.92 ERA, 1.096 WHIP and 8.4 K/9 in his lone season with the Orioles while earning his fourth All-Star nod in a row. He’ll likely be looking for a contract over $250 million, but with Boston’s window expected to open up, that’s a move that should be made right now.
If Henry can move on from the Price and Sale deals and build a five-man rotation of Burnes, Crochet, Lucas Giolito, Tanner Houck and Brayan Bello, this team will be a playoff team in 2025 and should be capable of an ALCS appearance at the very least.
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