The Boston Red Sox have missed the playoffs since 2021, and it’s time for the front office to make the necessary changes to turn things around for next season.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow had an opportunity to revamp the roster last winter but opted for a more cautious strategy, which ultimately fell flat.
With numerous stars available in both the trade and free-agent markets this winter, there’s hope that the Red Sox will take bold steps to enhance their chances of competing by 2025.
“Every team could use (Garrett) Crochet,” wrote CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa on Friday while discussing potential trade candidates for the upcoming winter. “He would have a significant impact on teams on the postseason cusp, including the (Texas) Rangers, (Cincinnati) Reds, and Red Sox. Crochet could help push such teams into October.”
In 2024, Crochet finished with a 6-12 record, a 3.58 ERA, and an impressive 209 strikeouts against just 33 walks, along with a .222 batting average against and a 1.07 WHIP over 146 innings for the Chicago White Sox.
At just 25 years old, Crochet was one of the most sought-after trade targets during the summer deadline. However, he stipulated that he wouldn’t pitch in the postseason if traded, which led to him staying with the struggling White Sox as he aimed to improve his value for the upcoming winter trade market.
According to Spotrac, Crochet’s projected market value stands at around $129 million for a seven-year contract, averaging nearly $18 million per year.
As a first-round draft pick in 2020, Crochet has two years of arbitration remaining, allowing the Red Sox to acquire him without significantly increasing their payroll. They would, however, need to part with a substantial package of prospects to the rebuilding White Sox, but it could be a worthwhile investment.
In any case, the Red Sox must make moves this winter to have a shot at returning to the postseason, and targeting a young, controllable ace like Crochet could be an excellent starting point.
