The Boston Red Sox weren’t supposed to be in the Garrett Crochet sweepstakes—at least, not by the Chicago White Sox’s standards. During the Winter Meetings, White Sox GM Chris Getz had effectively crossed Boston off the list of potential landing spots for his high-upside lefty. The reason? A lack of urgency.
But all that changed in a hurry.
According to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, Boston’s front office shocked everyone by re-entering the race, tossing in another key name at the eleventh hour, and flipping the trade negotiations on their head. The move forced Chicago into a U-turn they never saw coming—and just like that, the Red Sox walked away with one of the most coveted arms on the market.
For weeks, multiple teams had been circling Crochet like sharks, sensing an opportunity to land a dominant left-hander with strikeout stuff and a bargain $3.8 million salary. Boston was in the mix, sure, but they weren’t at the forefront. Teams like the Dodgers, Cardinals, and Orioles had all shown interest, and given the Red Sox’s recent reputation for hesitation in big deals, few expected them to make a serious push.
When talking Crochet trades at the Winter Meetings, the White Sox actually eliminated the Red Sox from contention due to lack of motivation.
That was until the Red Sox added another name to their offer and quickly closed the deal, White Sox GM Chris Getz said (via @alexspeier). pic.twitter.com/mFkSqfj0V5
— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) March 6, 2025
Getz himself had seemingly ruled them out. Talks didn’t have momentum. Other teams were showing more aggression. Boston had a shot, but they weren’t taking it. Finally, came the twist. The Red Sox—perhaps realizing they were on the verge of missing out on another frontline arm—added a key player to their offer, an inclusion that immediately changed Chicago White Sox’s stance. Within hours, a deal was done, and Crochet was Fenway-bound.
For Boston, this move signals something bigger than just acquiring an arm. It’s a statement. After years of cautious spending and half-measures, they finally went all-in on a player they wanted—and in the process, they outmaneuvered the competition to get him. The message to the rest of the league? The Red Sox aren’t just talking about being serious contenders. They’re proving it.
White Sox’s Garrett Crochet seen as the prize of the market
Garrett Crochet wasn’t just another trade candidate—he was the name every contender wanted. A rare blend of elite velocity, strikeout stuff, and affordability, the 25-year-old lefty had rapidly transitioned from a dominant reliever to a legitimate frontline starter. Armed with a high-90s fastball, a devastating slider, and surprising durability, Crochet had proven he could handle a starter’s workload while still overpowering hitters. With teams scrambling for top-tier pitching in a thin market, his upside made him one of the most valuable arms available.
What made Crochet even more appealing was his contract situation. At just $3.8 million for 2025 with multiple years of team control remaining, he offered frontline potential at a fraction of the cost of high-priced free agents. Unlike aging veterans demanding long-term deals, Crochet represented both immediate impact and long-term value, making him a perfect target for contenders looking to bolster their rotations without committing massive payroll.
At last, by outmaneuvering rivals and forcing the White Sox into a shocking U-turn, they proved they were done sitting on the sidelines. Now for Boston, the question is clear: Is this the move that finally puts the Red Sox back in serious contention or do they still need another big move?
The post Red Sox Corner Archrival White Sox, Forcing Shocking U-Turn to Snatch $3.8M Star in High-Stakes Trade War appeared first on EssentiallySports.
