Following his December trade from the Chicago White Sox to the Boston Red Sox, pitcher Garrett Crochet quickly made headlines by seeking a long-term contract extension. This request surprised some, given the White Sox's unsuccessful attempts to trade him before the previous July's deadline and Crochet's innings restriction last season, despite pitching 146 innings in 2024.
Now slated to start for the Red Sox on opening day, the 25-year-old is addressing the perception of him being "greedy" for seeking an extension so soon after the trade.
In a recent appearance on "Baseball Isn't Boring," Crochet clarified his intentions, explaining that his desire for an extension stemmed from his transition from a relief pitcher to a full-time starter. He emphasized that his motivation wasn't solely financial security, but rather to solidify his role as a starter and dispel the notion of him primarily being a high-end reliever.
Crochet's career has seen him frequently in the bullpen, with 54 relief appearances in 2021 with the White Sox and another 18 across 2020, 2022, and 2023, often due to injuries. However, 2024 marked a shift, with Crochet making 32 starts and achieving a 3.58 ERA. He attributes this success to finally maintaining good health throughout the season, a rarity in his career thus far.
Crochet reflected on his past injuries, from a flexor strain in 2020 to back issues in 2021 and subsequent setbacks. Now healthy and established in a starting routine, he questioned why he should risk that stability with a new team to whom he felt no particular obligation.
Without a contract extension, Crochet is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season.
