There’s no sugarcoating it — the Boston Red Sox pulled off one of the boldest, most transformative moves of the entire offseason, and it’s paying off big-time. Garrett Crochet has become the guy on the mound for Boston, and if he keeps up this pace, we’re looking at a serious American League Cy Young Award candidate — one the Red Sox absolutely had to have.
From a Rotation Need to Red Sox Ace
Let’s rewind the tape for a second. Boston needed a lefty. After Chris Sale was sent packing to Atlanta — and eventually became the 2024 NL Cy Young winner — the Red Sox rotation skewed heavily on right-handers and lost balance. They tried to land Max Fried in free agency, only to watch him ink a megadeal with the Yankees. So what did they do next? They swung big.
In comes Garrett Crochet via a trade with the White Sox. Cost them some prospects, sure, but the payoff? Immediate. The 26-year-old has dominated through the first half of 2025, logging a 10-4 record, sparkling 2.23 ERA, and a downright nasty 160 strikeouts across 129 1/3 innings. That’s filthy. He’s not just solid — he’s shoving.
And this isn’t a fluke. He’s been durable, efficient, and has improved as the season progressed. He’s got ace-level stuff and the mentality to match. Boston hasn’t had that level of southpaw talent since Chris Sale.
A Familiar Flame Reignited
Speaking of Sale, the Red Sox legend himself has been keeping tabs on his unofficial successor. He knows what it means to thrive in that role in Boston. He knows the pressure. The expectations. The spotlight. And he’s got nothing but love for what Crochet is doing in his old digs.
“He’s been, for lack of a better word, crushing it,” Sale told the Boston Globe. “It was fun for me to see that happen for him… I can definitely relate.”
Boston Found Their Guy
For a franchise that’s been trying to bridge the gap between a fading dynasty and a new core, adding a true No. 1 starter was critical. With Garrett Crochet, they didn’t just find someone who could eat innings — they landed a force. He’s only 26. He’s under team control. And he’s not showing signs of slowing down.
Crochet isn’t just holding down a rotation spot. He’s leading it. He’s the kind of ace you build around and can take you deep into the playoffs. With him fronting the rotation, Boston suddenly looks a lot more dangerous for the long haul.
