The Boston Red Sox have secured their ace for both the present and future.
Left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet has reportedly agreed to a historic six-year, $170 million contract extension with the Red Sox. The deal, which begins in 2026, includes an opt-out option after the 2030 season. It stands as the largest contract ever awarded to a pitcher with over four years of major league service time. ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the first to report the news.
The extension comes just four days after Garrett Crochet’s self-imposed March 27 deadline. Initially, the two sides failed to reach an agreement, leading Crochet to pause contract discussions until after the season to avoid distractions. However, the towering left-hander revealed to WEEI’s Rob Bradford that negotiations were close, even though a deal wasn’t finalized at the time.
“I never got that feeling,” Crochet told Bradford. “You’d rather it be that way than have just one conversation where there’s a large gap—where I believe I’m a really good pitcher, but they see it differently.”
Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow had also publicly stated that extension talks appeared to be on hold until after the season.
Before the Red Sox’s season opener in Texas, Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow emphasized Crochet’s focus on the season.
“Right now, Garrett is preparing to throw the first pitch of the 2025 season. He’s been clear about wanting to set contract talks aside and concentrate on baseball,” Breslow said. “We absolutely respect that, and we’re really excited about what he’s going to do for us.”
Boston made a significant investment to acquire Crochet, sending four prospects—Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, and Wikelman Gonzalez—to the White Sox in a blockbuster December trade.
Set to turn 26 in June, Crochet will earn $3.8 million in 2025 before his extension begins in 2026. He will have the option to opt out of the deal at age 31.
Crochet’s next start comes Wednesday in Baltimore, where he’ll look to build on his Opening Day outing. In that game, he allowed two runs on five hits with four strikeouts over five innings, helping Boston secure a 5-2 win—their lone victory of the season so far.
