A string of poor performances and disappointments have characterized the Boston Red Sox’s tumultuous offseason. The team’s signing of left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet provides some hope as they try to reassess their prospects. Crochet was obtained from the Chicago White Sox in December of last year. Now, he has enhanced as a vital player in the team’s recovery plan.
While Crochet initially joined the Red Sox amid the White Sox’s reestablishing level, Boston now assesses him as a cornerstone of their pitching rotation. But, his deal is ready to expire after the 2026 season. So, the team is assessing a long-period extension to secure Crochet’s talent beyond his arbitration years. But can his arrival provide the spark the Red Sox needs to reignite its championship aspirations?
Boston’s disappointing offseason and the Crochet gamble
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Red Sox supporters became totally frustrated as the team failed to make vital acquisitions in the intricate offseason. After another frustrating year, in which the team missed the playoffs for the 2nd straight season, the team was looking for a spark. Now comes Garrett Crochet, who was traded for Braden Montgomery and Kyle Teel. However, it was a total gamble—one that could pay off large. Crochet has displayed glimpses of his power, as highlighted by his outstanding strikeout stats as well as 2.78 ERA in 2024. The Red Sox are counting on him to help them turn things around.
The Red Sox and Garrett Crochet have had some dialogue already about a long-term extension, MassLive confirmed, but unclear if the sides have gotten close yet. It’s a priority for the team. https://t.co/nMz0pkYb6J
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 9, 2025
Now, the Red Sox are hoping
Crochet can be more than just a piece of the puzzle. With the 2025 tribunal looming as well as the reported $3 million figure, the real question is whether Boston can lock Crochet in for a long period. As reported by Chris Cotillo, “The Red Sox and Garrett Crochet have had some dialogue already related to a long-period extension, MassLive confirmed, however, unclear if the sides have gotten close yet“. Boston is focused on safeguarding Crochet’s fate because arbitration is imminent. Can he be the spark that ignites a Red Sox comeback? His talent is undeniable, however, whether he can turn the tide for a struggling team is still up in the air.Is Garrett Crochet sufficient to ignite the comeback of Boston?
Garrett Crochet’s arm provides power to the team, but the
Red Sox face more intense issues, containing bullpen depth and offensive inconsistency. A single player can not transform the course of a season on their own. For instance, take Kenley Jansen who posted a 3.94 ERA in 2024, not quite the closer Boston had hoped for. And Chris Sale, despite his once-elite status, has struggled with injuries, making him a wildcard for the starting rotation.ADVERTISEMENT
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Offensively, the team has also been hit and miss. Rafael Devers continues to shine with his 38 home runs and 111 RBIs in 2024. Next is Yoshida Masataka who displayed promise with a .293 average and 15 home runs in his rookie year. However, consistency across the lineup is vital. While securing Crochet’s deal would be a good step, Boston’s road to recovery needs more than one move.
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As the saying goes, never put all your eggs in one basket. If Crochet fails to provide the transformation Boston needs, it is time for management to act swiftly and seek additional talent. The team needs more than just one big name to truly turn things around. Now, it is your turn to weigh in, do you think the Red Sox have what it takes to bounce back, or will they continue to fall short?
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