Crochet Defends Contract Demands After Red Sox Trade, Cites Transition to Starter
Garrett Crochet, the newly acquired pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, is addressing the perception that he’s being "greedy" after making his desire for a long-term contract extension with the team public. The request, coming so soon after the trade from the Chicago White Sox, has raised some eyebrows, particularly given the White Sox’s reported difficulties in finding a trade partner for Crochet before last year’s deadline.
Crochet was recently traded to the Boston Red Sox during the off-season. While details of the trade are not provided in this article, it is reasonable to assume that the Red Sox were looking to improve their roster, and that the White Sox were looking to offload a player.
The Red Sox hope is that Crochet can be an important piece to the roster, as they are slated to have him take the mound on opening day next month.
The young pitcher, who is expected to start for the Red Sox on Opening Day, is now clarifying his position, emphasizing that his push for a new deal is rooted in his transition from a reliever to a full-time starting pitcher.
In an appearance on the "Baseball Isn’t Boring" podcast, Crochet directly addressed the negative connotations associated with his contract aspirations. "I know when it came out, a lot of people were looking [at it] as ‘greedy,’" Crochet stated, acknowledging the public perception of his contract demands.
The core of Crochet’s argument lies in the shift in his role on the team. "I didn’t, by no means, feel like I was demanding it because I wanted money or security by itself. It was more so in the fact that I was establishing myself as a starter and kind of getting away from the idea that teams viewed me as a potential high-end reliever."
Crochet’s career has been marked by transitions between the bullpen and the starting rotation, largely influenced by injuries. He initially emerged as a reliever for the White Sox, making 54 appearances out of the bullpen in 2021. In 2020, 2022, and 2023, he was deployed as a reliever a total of 18 times, a necessity driven by various injuries that sidelined him at times.
Last season marked a pivotal change for Crochet. He transitioned to the starting rotation, making 32 starts and showcasing his potential with a 3.58 ERA. This performance, coupled with his ability to stay healthy, appears to have solidified his desire to remain a starter and to be compensated accordingly.
Crochet also addressed the injuries he has had over the years, emphasizing the importance of his health. "I was having a good year, and I was staying healthy for the first time in my career," he said. He then provided a concise timeline of his past injuries, "In 2020, flexor strain. In ’21, I had the back thing. Then I blow out. … Now I’m starting on a set routine, and I’m feeling good every fifth day. And I’m able to go out and perform."
Crochet then explained that his health has been a driving factor behind his desire for a contract extension. "Why should I jeopardize that for a team I don’t really owe anything to?"
Crochet’s comments suggest that he views a long-term contract as a way to secure his financial future while also ensuring that his role as a starter is recognized and valued. He appears to be weighing the risks and rewards of committing to a team without the security of a long-term deal, particularly given his injury history.
The Red Sox’s decision on whether to offer Crochet an extension will likely depend on a number of factors, including his performance on the field, his health, and the team’s overall financial situation. They would also likely be taking into account the team’s long-term plans, and how Crochet fits into that plan.
It’s important to recognize that contract negotiations in professional sports are complex and often involve a degree of posturing and public relations. Crochet’s comments can be interpreted as an attempt to frame his contract demands in a way that resonates with fans and the team’s management. He is trying to reframe a potentially negative narrative into a positive one, by emphasizing his commitment to the team.
It also puts pressure on the Red Sox to show how highly they value the pitcher. If the Red Sox do not take actions to secure Crochet for the long-term, it could be interpreted as a lack of commitment to winning.
As it stands, Crochet is slated to become a free agent after the 2026 season, barring any contract extension. This means the Red Sox have approximately three seasons to evaluate Crochet’s performance and determine whether he is worth a long-term investment.
The Red Sox will likely be very careful when looking into a possible contract extension. They will be evaluating Crochet’s performance this year and the coming years, before making a decision on whether to sign him. They will likely be looking at his ERA, his health and his ability to make it through the season.
The outcome of these contract negotiations will undoubtedly be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as it could have significant implications for both Crochet’s future and the Red Sox’s long-term plans. It will be interesting to see how the negotiations play out.
Regardless, the Red Sox organization and fanbase are both excited to have Crochet on the team. He is a promising player with a lot of potential, and is slated to be the starting pitcher on opening day. The fans are hoping he will be a valuable member of the team.
