Left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet has agreed to a six-year, $170 million contract extension with the Boston Red Sox, sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday. The deal, which begins in 2026, keeps the 25-year-old ace with Boston for the foreseeable future.
It also includes an opt-out clause after the 2030 season, when Crochet will be 31 years old. This contract is the largest ever signed by a player with over four years of service, surpassing Jacob deGrom’s $137.5 million deal with the New York Mets in 2019.
Crochet’s Strong 2023 Performance Secures Lucrative Extension Despite Limited Career Innings
Negotiations for Crochet’s extension were complex due to his relatively limited career innings. Having thrown just 224 innings, with a history of injuries including Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the 2022 season, Crochet’s track record was not typical for a pitcher of his new contract’s magnitude.
Despite these challenges, Crochet impressed the Red Sox with a strong 2023 performance, striking out 209 batters and walking just 33 in 146 innings. His breakout season played a pivotal role in securing the lucrative extension, which also guarantees him financial security without any deferrals.
The Red Sox’s decision to invest heavily in Crochet reflects their belief in his potential as a frontline starter. Even with his relatively short track record, the team was willing to reward him with an ace-level deal.
Should Crochet choose to opt out of the contract after the 2030 season, he could potentially secure another lucrative deal, as other left-handed pitchers, like Max Fried and Blake Snell, signed major contracts in their 30s. Crochet’s fastball reaches 100 mph, and his cutter, which he added to his arsenal last season, has further elevated his status among the league’s top left-handed pitchers.
Red Sox Strengthen Roster with Key Acquisitions, Including Crochet and Bregman Addition
Crochet’s signing came as part of a broader strategy by the Red Sox to enhance their roster for contention. In addition to the acquisition of Crochet, Boston made several other significant moves during the winter meetings, including trading top prospects such as catcher Kyle Teel and outfielder Braden Montgomery to acquire Crochet.
The Red Sox also added third baseman Alex Bregman with a three-year, $120 million contract and right-hander Walker Buehler with a one-year deal. These moves signal a shift from years of mediocrity to a more aggressive push toward competing at the highest level.
Crochet, selected No. 11 overall by the Chicago White Sox in the 2020 draft, made an immediate impact in the majors, starting his career with six scoreless innings in the shortened 2020 season. After a successful stint as a high-leverage reliever in 2021, an elbow injury delayed his development.
However, Chicago’s decision to move him into the rotation in 2023 paid off, as Crochet earned an All-Star selection. Despite some limitations on his innings, Crochet made it clear that he would only play for a contender with a contract extension, which led to his eventual trade to the Red Sox. This move, and the subsequent extension, mark a new chapter in his promising career.
