A slow start to 2025 isn’t deterring the Boston Red Sox from going big.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Monday night that 25-year-old left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet and the Red Sox agreed to a six-year, $170M extension.
The news comes just months after Boston acquired Crochet in an offseason trade with the Chicago White Sox for a prospect package that included highly-touted catcher Kyle Teel.
Crochet, with just 33 career starts and 224 innings to his name, sets a new record for pitchers who have four or fewer years of MLB service time.
It may seem risky to extend a young arm with such a limited prior track record, but if anything, this is a pretty shrewd move by the Red Sox’s front office for a few reasons.
First, the 2024 All-Star is just 25 years old, with his prime years firmly ahead of him. Given that ace pitchers regularly go for over $30M on the open market, it’s likely Crochet would’ve fetched a significantly higher amount in free agency in 2026.
Second, the lack of mileage on his arm actually works to his advantage. Sure, Crochet does have an injury history, but in terms of innings pitched, he’s more like a “young” 25 with a lot left in the tank, presumably. Typically, less wear and tear on a pitcher’s arm is better for the long haul.
Furthermore, consider that older pitchers like Taijuan Walker of the Philadelphia Phillies and Marcus Stroman of the New York Yankees, neither of whom even sniff Crochet’s talent level, are both making close to $20M per season. Pitching is expensive these days, so why not secure your ace of the future for what could prove to be below market value?
Overall, the Red Sox did well to extend Crochet, while the 25-year-old has also clamored for an extension in the past, which he now has. Seems like a win for all sides.
