BREAKING: Boston Red Sox are reportedly set to add a veteran lefty to their starting rotation
The Red Sox rotation might look very different in 2025…
As the 2024 season comes to an end, the Boston Red Sox are in need of starting pitchers. There isn’t a single lefty in their starting rotation.
What if they modified both of these things by 2025?
With Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello, and Lucas Giolito under contract for next season, the Red Sox have a solid foundation of talent to build on. However, they do not have anyone who strikes out many batters, and having a rotation heavy on righties can be a competitive disadvantage.
In recent offseasons, the Red Sox have also been reticent to spend heavily in free agency, particularly on pitchers. Instead of targeting big free-agent starters, the Red Sox might enter the trade market. This matches neatly with another American League team’s forthcoming decision on one of their starters.
According to Joel Lauter of Bleacher Report, the “biggest decision” the Chicago White Sox and Chris Getz will face this winter is whether to move pitcher Garrett Crochet, who might be a strong trade target for Craig Breslow and the Red Sox.
“With club control through 2026, (Crochet) remains a valuable trade chip heading into the offseason.” Reuters reported. “Expect them to get a deal done this winter, whether it’s an extension to build around him or a trade to add to the farm system.”
Crochet, 25, was a revelation in the first half of 2024, leading the American League in strikeouts for most of the season and earning his first All-Star appearance. He has reduced his workload since the trade deadline, and his ERA has climbed to 3.64, but he still leads all starting pitchers with a 12.6 K/9 rate.
Before the trade deadline, Crochet reportedly refused to take a bullpen position or pitch in the postseason for any team that acquired him unless they first offered him an extension. That could stay the case, depending on how Crochet does in arbitration.
Crochet is making only $800,000 this season, his first as a starting pitcher. In 2025, he will most likely earn several times as much, possibly in the eight figures. Crochet may be prepared to bet on himself and continue pitching into arbitration now that he has secured his initial payout. He will become a free agent in 2026.
If the Red Sox lure Crochet to Boston, their starting rotation will be far more formidable in 2025. Expect Breslow to contact Getz and the White Sox this winter. What happens after that is up to the executives.
