The Boston Red Sox didn’t trade two of their top prospects for Garrett Crochet just for him to leave in a couple of years. Their goal is to secure a long-term contract with him, and talks are reportedly already in progress. Last month, Boston traded a package that included standout prospects Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery for Crochet, who is under contract through 2026.
Predicting Crochet’s contract situation is challenging; although the 25-year-old displayed elite potential last season, he has limited experience and is three years post Tommy John surgery. On Wednesday, Chris Cotillo from MassLive reported that discussions about a new contract have commenced. “The teams have had initial conversations about a contract extension, although it’s unclear how close they are to an agreement,” Cotillo wrote.
“The Red Sox and Crochet’s representatives at CAA have been in contact about reaching a deal to avoid arbitration ahead of Thursday’s deadline, with a one-year agreement as the primary focus this week. However, they’ve also had preliminary discussions about longer-term options. It’s hard to imagine the Red Sox allowing Crochet to reach free agency in 2027.
You don’t give up that kind of prospect capital for a player, especially an untested one like Crochet, for a mere two years of service. Still, the negotiations will be complex. Crochet is a top-tier talent who could land a huge deal in 2027 if he lives up to his potential over the next two seasons. However, with only 219 major league innings and a significant surgery in his past, he may not yet warrant a top-tier contract.
He still has a lot to prove, and taking a gamble on himself could be risky. Thus, both parties hold leverage: the Red Sox recognize Crochet’s eagerness to capitalize on his impressive 2024 season—boasting a 3.58 ERA and 209 strikeouts—while Crochet understands that Boston needs to compensate him to validate the trade.
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