Red Sox Acquire Pitcher Garrett Crochet from White Sox

The Boston Red Sox made a significant move during the Winter Meetings by trading four top-20 prospects to acquire left-handed starter Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox. Crochet, who had a solid 2024 season with a 3.58 ERA and was selected as an AL All-Star, is expected to bolster the Red Sox rotation. However, concerns linger regarding the team's reluctance to offer long-term contracts to pitchers, given past experiences with costly contracts. Following the trade, Crochet faced the challenge of choosing a new uniform number, ultimately settling on No. 35 as all his preferred numbers were retired. He expressed excitement about playing in Boston and the potential opportunity to learn from Red Sox legend Pedro Martínez. While Crochet's youth and performance suggest a bright future, the Red Sox must navigate the complexities of potentially extending his contract without inflating costs.