The Boston Red Sox signed left-hander Garrett Crochet to a six-year, $170 million contract extension on Monday, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The deal begins in 2026 and includes an opt-out after 2030, making it the largest contract ever for a pitcher with more than four years of service time.
Passan also reported on March 31 that Crochet’s deal includes no deferred money. The previous record for a pitcher with more than four years of service was Jacob deGrom’s five-year, $137.5 million contract, which included an opt-out after the fourth season, allowing him to test free agency at age 31.
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
Robert Murray of FanSided reported on March 31 that the deal includes escalators that could push its total value to $180 million over six seasons.
Confirming this. The deal also includes escalators that can max the contract out at $180 million over the six seasons. https://t.co/0oNwdyFstG
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) April 1, 2025
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported that the contract includes up to $2 million annually in escalators from 2027 through 2031 based on Crochet’s finish in Cy Young Award voting.
Crochet’s deal includes up to $2 million per year in escalators between 2027-2031 based on his finish in Cy Young voting, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) April 1, 2025
Feinsand also noted that the contract does not include a no-trade clause, though Crochet will receive a $2 million assignment bonus if traded during the deal.
Crochet’s deal does not include a no-trade clause, per source, but he will receive a $2 million assignment bonus if he is traded during the course of the contract.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) April 1, 2025
The 25-year-old from Ocean Springs, Miss., was selected 11th overall by the Chicago White Sox in the 2020 MLB Draft after his junior year at the University of Tennessee. He signed for a $4,547,500 bonus on June 22, 2020.
Crochet debuted in the majors on Sept. 18, 2020, against the Cincinnati Reds, without making a minor league appearance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He pitched for the White Sox in 2020 and 2021 but missed the 2022 season following elbow surgery. In 2023, he returned to the mound, making rehab appearances for Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte. He posted a 4.38 ERA in 12 bullpen outings, throwing 12.1 innings with 24 strikeouts and a 1.297 WHIP.
Crochet was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 20, 2023, with left shoulder inflammation and dealt with arm issues throughout the year. He finished that season with the White Sox by going 0-2 with a 3.55 ERA in 13 relief appearances, striking out 12 batters in 12.2 innings.
In 2024, Crochet earned American League Comeback Player of the Year and made his first All-Star appearance. He went 6-12 in 32 starts with a 3.58 ERA, recording 209 strikeouts in 146 innings before being traded to Boston.
The Red Sox acquired Crochet on Dec. 11, 2024, sending catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Braden Montgomery, third baseman Chase Meidroth, and right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez to the White Sox.
During spring training, Crochet started five games and posted a 0.57 ERA, throwing 15.2 innings with 30 strikeouts. He made his 2025 regular season debut on March 27 against the Texas Rangers, allowing two earned runs over five innings in a no-decision. He threw 88 pitches, 61 for strikes.
Over five MLB seasons, Crochet owns a 9-19 record with a 3.29 ERA in 105 appearances, including 33 starts. He has pitched 224 innings, allowed 185 hits, struck out 298 batters, and posted a 1.161 WHIP.
According to Baseball Savant, Crochet’s four-seam fastball averages 96.4 mph with a 22.2 percent whiff rate, while his sinker averages 95.7 mph with a 33.3 percent whiff rate.
Boston’s front office, led by general manager Brian O’Halloran, faces pressure to manage its payroll efficiently. Third baseman Alex Bregman remains under contract at $40 million annually through 2027, though he can opt out after either of the next two seasons. His contract defers a significant portion of that salary. Rafael Devers is signed through 2033, with salaries ranging from $27.5 million to $31 million. Trevor Story is set to earn $25 million in 2026 and 2027, while Masataka Yoshida is owed $18.6 million annually through 2026.
The Red Sox opened the 2025 season 1-4. With 157 games to go, manager Alex Cora will look for ways to establish Crochet’s place in the rotation as the schedule unfolds.
The rotation includes Walker Buehler, Tanner Houck, Richard Fitts, and Sean Newcomb. Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, and Kutter Crawford are all on the 15-day injured list, making pitching coach Andrew Bailey’s early-season task even more challenging.
Boston continues its three-game road series against the Baltimore Orioles on April 2 at 6:35 p.m. EDT, then returns home for its opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 4 at 2:10 p.m. EDT.
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
