At 25, Crochet ranked among the top starting pitchers in the American League last season, recording a 3.58 ERA.
White Sox ace Garrett Crochet is arguably one of the biggest names likely to hit the trade market this offseason. If that’s the case, the Red Sox could be in a strong position to acquire him.
“I’m convinced he’s definitely going to be traded, and the two teams I have my eye on are the Mets and the Red Sox,” Olney remarked.
While Olney sees the Red Sox as potential contenders for Crochet, others around the league also view Boston as a serious candidate to acquire the lefty. A “baseball insider familiar with the White Sox’s mindset” told MassLive’s Sean McAdam that the Red Sox “are very much in the mix” regarding a possible trade for Crochet.
“It will come down to what they’re willing to offer, but from a talent perspective, they match up well,” the same source reportedly told McAdam. “They didn’t show as much interest at the trade deadline last summer, but their interest has grown in the offseason, and they’re sending a clear message: ‘We want to be part of this, we want to be involved in these discussions.’
“I definitely think they’re one of about five teams that are legitimate contenders, with prospects that align well.”
As previously mentioned, Crochet was made available by the White Sox before the trade deadline in July. However, his statement that he wouldn’t pitch in the postseason without a contract extension threw a wrench into trade talks surrounding him.
Crochet, 25, remains under team control for two more seasons. ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan mentioned on the “Baseball Tonight” podcast that teams are aware Crochet will likely sign an extension. He also suggested the Phillies as a possible landing spot for the lefty, noting they were one of the three finalists to acquire him at the trade deadline, although a deal didn’t materialize. The Dodgers are also expected to pursue Crochet, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
If Crochet is open to signing an extension after a trade, it’s likely that the White Sox would seek more in return. The Red Sox are equipped with one of the top farm systems in the league. Bleacher Report recently ranked their system as the third-best in baseball, while MLB Pipeline listed six Red Sox players among their top 100 prospects, including four in the top 25.
Top prospects like Roman Anthony and others from the “big four” (Kyle Teel, Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell) are expected to be off-limits in trade discussions, according to McAdam.
Additionally, the Red Sox have young, controllable major league talent that could be included in a trade for a significant piece. An evaluator told McAdam that outfielder Wilyer Abreu could potentially be the centerpiece of a trade for Crochet.
Garrett Crochet, 25, transitioned from a reliever to a full-time starter in 2024, delivering a commendable performance with a 3.58 ERA, 1.068 WHIP, and 209 strikeouts over 146 innings in 32 starts. His strikeout total ranked fourth in the American League, and he would have finished in the top five in WHIP had he qualified.
The Red Sox have expressed a clear intent to enhance the upper echelon of their starting rotation. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow stated, “We have lofty goals. We know we need to raise the ceiling of the rotation. I think there are a lot of ways to do that, but we’re going to be really, really open-minded.”
Given Crochet’s impressive 2024 season and the Red Sox’s strategic focus on bolstering their rotation, acquiring Crochet could be a mutually beneficial move. His addition would address the Red Sox’s need for a top-tier starter while providing the White Sox with valuable assets to strengthen their roster.
