Another pitcher is on the move. The Boston Red Sox have acquired 2024 All-Star Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox. Red Sox beat writer Julian McWilliams was the first to report on the deal. Boston will send four prospects to Chicago to complete the deal.
Boston had been in the market for a top-of-the-rotation arm. They made a push for Max Fried before he eventually signed with the Yankees. They’ve also been linked to former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes. Crochet joins a rotation of Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and Lucas Giolito.
Crochet made the move to starter in ’24. He previously worked out of the pen throughout his early career. The flamethrowing lefty maintained his wicked stuff in his new role. Through 146.0 IP, Crochet recorded 209 SO with a 3.58 ERA and 1.058 WHIP. His 4.7 WAR ranked 8th in MLB — all seven ranked ahead of him recorded at least 35 IP more than Crochet.
In return, the rebuilding White Sox will receive a bundle of promising prospects from Boston’s farm system — C Kyle Teel, OF Braden Montgomery, IF Chase Meidroth, and RHP Wikelman Gonzalez. Teel and Montgomery are Boston’s last two first-round picks.
A 22-year-old out of Virginia, Teel registered a .288 AVG and .819 OPS in 112 games across AA and AAA last season. Montgomery is a switch-hitting outfielder whose fastball topped out at 96 MPH back when he was a two-way prospect.
After a historic 41-121 season, the White Sox hope this haul sparks a long and successful rebuild. Next up on the trade block could be electric center fielder Luis Robert Jr. The 26-year-old slugger would surely command a haul just as good, if not better than the one Chicago received from Boston.
It doesn’t seem like the Red Sox are done making moves. They’ve been rumored to be interested in OF Teoscar Hernandez who is coming off a World Series win with the Dodgers. Triston Casas is another name on the rumor mill, with Boston potentially looking to move Rafael Devers to first base full-time.
After a forgettable 2024 campaign, the Red Sox are looking to make the necessary moves to compete next season.
