Garrett Crochet Lands $170 Million Extension as Red Sox Lock In Their Ace
In a bold move signaling a new era for the Boston Red Sox, the club has locked in one of Major League Baseball’s most electrifying left-handed arms, Garrett Crochet, to a six-year, $170 million contract extension. According to league sources, the deal was finalized Monday night and will officially begin in the 2026 season. It includes a player opt-out after 2030, when Crochet will be 31 years old—leaving him well-positioned for another significant payday if his performance holds up.
Red Sox Make Garrett Crochet the Face of Their Future with $170M Extension
That’s the message Boston is sending not just to fans, but to the rest of the league. This isn’t just a contract; it’s a declaration of trust in a pitcher who hasn’t yet hit 250 career innings but has shown ace-level flashes when healthy.
This extension marks a significant shift for a Red Sox organization eager to return to postseason relevance after several seasons hovering around mediocrity. It also represents a record-setting contract for a player with just over four years of MLB service time, eclipsing the previous high set by Jacob deGrom’s five-year, $137.5 million pact with the New York Mets in 2019.
What makes this deal all the more remarkable is the path Crochet has taken to this point. Selected 11th overall by the Chicago White Sox in the 2020 draft, the former University of Tennessee standout made the rare leap straight from college ball to the majors during the pandemic-shortened season. His initial MLB appearances saw him fire six scoreless innings out of the bullpen, showcasing a fastball that touched triple digits and a presence well beyond his years.
Boston Bets Big on Fireballer Crochet with Record-Setting Deal
And that gamble reflects both a belief in his talent and a willingness to look beyond traditional benchmarks like total innings pitched. Where most front offices might hesitate, Boston leaned in.
Crochet’s early years in the big leagues were spent as a reliever, where he quickly earned a reputation as a high-leverage weapon for the White Sox. But his trajectory was derailed in 2022 when he underwent Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the entire season. His return in 2023 was cautious—limited to just over a dozen innings—but by 2024, the White Sox made the bold decision to stretch him out into a starting role.
The move paid off handsomely. Crochet delivered a breakout campaign as a starter last season, finishing with 209 strikeouts to just 33 walks in 146 innings. His velocity remained elite, and the addition of a devastating cutter gave him a lethal one-two punch against both lefties and righties. Though the White Sox implemented a strict innings cap and limited him to four-inning stints late in the season, his dominance was undeniable.
Still, his limited total workload raised questions about how to fairly value him in contract talks. With only 224 career innings under his belt, Crochet has pitched barely more than a full season’s worth of innings by traditional standards. That didn’t stop Boston from seeing the bigger picture.
Source: Red Sox LHP Garrett Crochet gets $170M extension, sources say
From Risk to Reward: Garrett Crochet Becomes Red Sox’s $170 Million Man
A testament to how the club views his ceiling not just for this year, but as a foundational piece for the future.
The extension doesn’t include any deferred payments, signaling the Red Sox’s commitment to keeping Crochet satisfied and locked in for the long haul. For Boston, the deal eliminates the possibility of Crochet reaching free agency after the 2026 season—a scenario that would have made him one of the most coveted arms on the market.
Boston’s conviction in Crochet wasn’t just financial—it also came at the cost of talent. During the Winter Meetings, the Red Sox pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade with the White Sox to acquire the young ace. They gave up a hefty package, including top catching prospect Kyle Teel, promising outfielder Braden Montgomery, versatile infielder Chase Meidroth, and live-armed pitcher Wikelman Gonzalez. The message was clear: Boston believed Crochet was not only worth the price but central to their future plans.
Red Sox Secure Their Ace of Tomorrow in Garrett Crochet
And the organization spared no effort or expense to make sure he stayed in their colors for years to come.
The trade and subsequent extension cap off an aggressive winter for the Red Sox, who have pivoted sharply from recent rebuilding efforts toward immediate contention. Along with Crochet, the club added third baseman Alex Bregman on a three-year, $120 million contract, and right-hander Walker Buehler on a one-year, $21.05 million deal—moves that give Boston a combination of veteran experience and high-upside potential.
Crochet, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 245 pounds, has become the centerpiece of Boston’s retooled rotation. His combination of size, velocity, and developing secondary pitches gives him the makings of a legitimate ace—something the Red Sox haven’t had in full form since Chris Sale’s peak years. By locking him up before he even made a single pitch in a Boston uniform, the team is betting big that Crochet will live up to his electric potential.
The opt-out after the 2030 season offers Crochet the flexibility to test the market again in his early 30s, a tactic increasingly common in modern MLB contracts. Comparable pitchers like Max Fried and Blake Snell have recently cashed in during their early 30s, with Fried landing an eight-year, $218 million deal from the Yankees at age 31, and Snell securing five years and $182 million from the Dodgers at 32. If Crochet continues on his current path, a second nine-figure deal wouldn’t be out of reach.
Boston’s front office sees Crochet as more than just a flame-throwing starter. They see him as a culture-setter—someone who can lead a rotation and inspire confidence every fifth day. Though his career has been unconventional, jumping directly to the majors and transitioning from the bullpen to starting, his resilience and ability to adapt have impressed both scouts and executives alike.
Boston’s New Era Begins with Massive Investment in Lefty Garrett Crochet
And his presence symbolizes the team’s shift from rebuilding mode to playoff pursuit.
His offseason demeanor also played a role in the Red Sox’s willingness to invest. Crochet made it known that he wanted to pitch for a contender—and only if that team was willing to commit to him long-term. That limited his trade market but also narrowed it to teams that shared his win-now mindset. Boston, eager to end their playoff drought and re-establish themselves among the AL’s elite, was more than happy to meet those terms.
Beyond Crochet, the Red Sox are building around a core that includes rising stars like second baseman Kristian Campbell, outfielder Roman Anthony, and shortstop Marcelo Mayer. All three prospects have either debuted or are on the cusp of making significant impacts at the major league level. With Bregman anchoring the infield and Buehler providing a veteran arm, the Red Sox believe they have the mix to compete as early as this season.
For a franchise steeped in tradition and championships, the last few years have felt like a step backward. But this offseason—highlighted by the acquisition and extension of Garrett Crochet—suggests the Red Sox are ready to make another run at glory. And with their new $170 million man set to lead the way, Boston fans have every reason to believe that the tide is turning once again at Fenway Park.
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