Garrett Crochet went to the Red Sox

DALLAS – Eight years ago at the Winter Meetings, the Red Sox executed a blockbuster trade with the White Sox for a premier left-handed pitcher (Chris Sale) that led the club to its next World Series championship.

On Wednesday, the final day of this year’s meetings, Boston agreed to a deal with Chicago for an up-and-coming left-hander in Garrett Crochet, hoping history can repeat itself.

The reinvigorated White Sox, who lost a record 121 games last season, need prospects. And the Red Sox are sending an impressive four-man group led by catcher Kyle Teel, who was ranked No. 25 on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects and No. 4 in Boston’s system at the time of the trade.

TRADE DETAILS
Red Sox get: LHP Garrett Crochet
White Sox received: C Kyle Teel (No. 25 overall prospect), OF Braden Montgomery (No. 54 overall prospect), INF Chase Meidroth (No. 11 prospect in the BOS), Wikelman Gonzalez (No. 14 prospect in the BOS)

The Red Sox were able to pull off the deal without removing anyone from the strong young core of their major league roster, leaving the club with a robust cadre of position players and now the front-line pitcher for the rotation, Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow has been coveting this all winter.

Breslow had had discussions with the two lefties on the free agent market in Blake Snell and Max Fried. After losing Snell to the Dodgers last week and Fried to the rival Yankees on Tuesday, the Red Sox responded with their big answer, one that doesn’t require a huge financial commitment, at least right off the bat. Crochet still has two arbitration-eligible seasons left.

Although Crochet doesn’t have the long track record of Sale eight years ago, the upside potential is comparable. The 25-year-old, who debuted in 2020, recovered from Tommy John surgery in 2022 and became a bright spot in a difficult season for the White Sox.

Crochet was an All-Star for Chicago in 2024, his first year as a starting pitcher in the majors. While he pitched 146 innings – the White Sox had him count on one pitch the entire time – Crochet had 209 strikeouts with just 33 walks. He had a WHIP of 1.07 and an average of 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

Do you want deeper numbers?

According to Statcast, Crochet was in the 89th percentile in pitching run value and in the 98th percentile in fastball run value. His expected ERA of 2.85 was in the 91st percentile, while his expected batting average of .204 was in the 89th percentile. His fastball velocity average of 97.2 was in the 92nd percentile. It goes on and on. Chase percentage? 93rd percentile. Whiff percentage? 93rd percentile. K percentage? 98th percentile. Walk percentage? 87th percentile. Extension? 93rd percentile.

Crochet passes all the statistical tests to determine what an ace looks like. The Red Sox hope Crochet can be one of the most successful pitchers in baseball in 1925, similar to American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal last season with the Tigers.

In a Boston rotation performed exclusively with the right hand, Crochet’s electric left arm provides more balance.

With the addition of Crochet, the Red Sox could have a strong starting lineup that also includes ’24 All-Star Tanner Houck, veteran righty Lucas Giolito (coming off right elbow surgery), Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford. Garrett Whitlock is also in the mix, although he could move to the bullpen.

The addition of Crochet doesn’t necessarily mean the Red Sox are done expanding the rotation. They could add another second- to mid-level rotation piece in the coming days or weeks. The Red Sox are also in talks about adding a right-handed hitter as they look to add at least a few more relievers after already acquiring lefty flamethrower Aroldis Chapman.

With Crochet on the verge of joining the Red Sox, the club’s stated goal of getting back to a place where it can compete for an American League East title is more realistic.

The Red Sox missed the postseason the previous three seasons, finishing 81-81 in 1924 and finishing third in the East.

Manager Alex Cora said at the end of Season 24: “I believe this is the last of our problems.”

By Wednesday, that statement was well outdated.