A strong offseason performance left Boston Red Sox fans feeling optimistic about the 2025 MLB season. Unfortunately, it only took five games for the good vibes to vanish as the Red Sox sit at the bottom of the AL East with an abysmal 1-4 record as of Tuesday morning.
Even though it isn't the start manager Alex Cora & Co. envisioned, there have been various bright spots in the Red Sox lineup and starting rotation. That includes one recent offseason acquisition, which Boston had big news to begin the week despite the slow start to the year.
Red Sox Sign Garrett Crochet to 6-Year, $170 Million Contract Extension
On Monday evening, MLB insider Jeff Passan reported that the Red Sox have signed left-handed ace Garrett Crochet to a six-year, $170 million contract. Passan adds that the contract is "the largest deal ever for a pitcher with four-plus years of services" and features an opt-out following the 2030 campaign.
BREAKING: Left-hander Garrett Crochet and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a six-year, $170 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. The deal starts in 2026 and includes an opt-out after 2030. By far the largest deal ever for a pitcher with 4+ years of service.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 1, 2025
The Red Sox and Crochet initially set a deadline to have any potential extension finalized before Opening Day. Even though that didn't happen, the two sides clearly felt close enough to hammer out a contract within a week of the season beginning.
Even though that's a big pay raise, it'll be worth it if Crochet continues being one of baseball's best southpaws. The Ocean Springs, MS native arrived in Boston following a career year with the Chicago White Sox that saw him pitch to a 3.58 ERA while averaging 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings across 32 starts, culminating in his MLB All-Star debut.
Impressed by that performance, the Red Sox snagged Crochet off the White Sox's hands by trading four prospects to the Windy City in December. It wasn't long after that when it became clear that the 25-year-old lefty was Boston's new ace, which he solidified by striking out four batters with two runs allowed across five innings in the club's 5-2 Opening Day victory over the Texas Rangers.
Hopefully, Crochet continues to prove that he deserves his extension. His next chance to take the mound will come against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. He's previously faced the Orioles three times in his career, recording a 2.25 ERA with 13 strikeouts in eight innings.
As for his season-long outlook, Crochet is currently tied with Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal as the favorite for the 2025 American League Cy Young (+400) on FanDuel Sportsbook.
More Boston Red Sox News & Rumors:
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.