The Boston Red Sox made a bold move at the 2024 Winter Meetings, acquiring left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox. This trade brings to mind their pivotal 2016 deal for Chris Sale, which helped them win a World Series championship. With hopes of replicating that success, the Red Sox are banking on Crochet’s potential to become a cornerstone of their pitching staff as they aim to return to playoff contention in 2025.
The White Sox, currently in a rebuilding phase after a record-setting 121-loss season, were looking to add prospects to their system. In exchange for Crochet, the Red Sox sent a highly regarded package, including catcher Kyle Teel, who was ranked as the No. 25 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 4 in Boston’s system. The trade also included outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth, and right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez, all of whom were among the Red Sox’s top 14 prospects.
Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow expressed his excitement about adding Crochet, who he described as a “legitimate number one starter” with considerable strikeout potential. Breslow acknowledged that acquiring a player of Crochet’s caliber required parting with valuable prospects, but emphasized that the trade would significantly improve the Red Sox’s rotation. The team is confident that Crochet, along with the resources available in Boston’s pitching infrastructure, will continue to develop into a top-tier starter for the club.
This trade marks a shift in the Red Sox’s strategy after several years of holding onto their top prospects. In recent seasons, the team had been hesitant to trade away high-value players from their farm system, but the 2024 offseason has seen a more aggressive approach. Breslow made it clear that the Red Sox are focused on competing for a title in 2025, and this trade, while costly, was necessary to improve the team’s chances in the short term.
Importantly, the Red Sox were able to make this trade without weakening their major league roster. No current players were involved in the deal, leaving the team’s young core intact. With Crochet joining a rotation that already includes 2024 All-Star Tanner Houck, veteran righty Lucas Giolito, and emerging star Brayan Bello, the Red Sox now have a well-rounded and deep starting staff heading into 2025.
Garrett Crochet, though still relatively young and with less of a proven track record than Chris Sale, comes with a significant upside. The 25-year-old had an impressive 2024 season, making his first All-Star appearance and posting a 1.07 WHIP along with 209 strikeouts in 146 innings. His fastball velocity and advanced metrics place him among the top pitchers in the league, and the Red Sox are hopeful that Crochet can develop into one of the game’s breakout stars in the coming season.
The trade for Crochet strengthens the Red Sox’s pitching staff as they look to build a more competitive team after finishing the 2024 season with an 81-81 record. While the team’s rotation is significantly improved, the Red Sox are not done yet. They continue to explore options for additional pitching depth and are looking to add more pieces to their roster, including a right-handed bat and additional bullpen help. With this trade, the Red Sox have taken a major step toward making a serious run at the American League East title in 2025.
