Insider predicts either the Red Sox or Yankees will trade for $130 million worth of superstar pitcher

The Boston Red Sox didn’t get Juan Soto, but neither did their archrivals.

Monday is a dreary day in Major League Baseball as the Winter Meetings begin in Dallas, Texas. The entire league appears to be recovering from the aftermath of Sunday night’s sensational signing: Soto is moving to the New York Mets.

With Soto spurning the Yankees, the Red Sox’ path to an American League East title in 2025 appears easier for now. But the $760 million savings for the Yankees means they are now tough competition for any remaining stars the Red Sox want to acquire.

As it turns out, this competition in the trading market could be pretty direct.

MLB insider Jorge Castillo of ESPN was recently asked to predict an unexpected move he thought would happen during the Winter Meetings. His answer concerned the Red Sox but also their arch-rivals in the Bronx, potentially foreshadowing a bidding war.

“Garrett Crochet will be traded to the Yankees or Red Sox,” Castillo said.

Crochet, 25, is the price of the trade market this winter. His Chicago White Sox are coming off the worst season in MLB history, so having a top pitcher in the next two years won’t get them very far. The first-time All-Star posted 209 strikeouts in just 146 innings last season.

Trading Crochet will also likely require a long-term contract extension, which Spotrac currently projects at six years and $130 million.

There were rumors that virtually everyone on the Red Sox would be available to play Crochet, with the names of Triston Casas and Marcelo Mayer causing the most buzz. Whether a deal gets done or not might have to do with Boston’s ability to stomach a deal with someone who will anger certain fans.

It’s been a wait-and-see market for Crochet, but with the Yankees gunning for Soto, Boston can’t afford to wait any longer.

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