Baseball players generally prefer not to negotiate contract extensions during the MLB season. Often, they request that team owners set Opening Day as the deadline for such discussions. According to MassLive.com, there remains a significant gap between Garrett Crochet and the Boston Red Sox in reaching an extension agreement.
Crochet is set to start the Red Sox’s season opener on Thursday against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. He is likely to remain under team control for now. The 25-year-old ace is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2027 season.
“He and his family need to decide is Boston where they want to be, and as the three of us know, it’s not for everybody», Red Sox president Sam Kennedy said to MassLive.com. “But I think given his mindset and makeup he’ll have a lot of success here if that’s what he chooses. We are making it a priority to try and extend a lot of our own players that are currently under control and he would fit into that category”.
Garrett Crochet was traded by the Chicago White Sox in December for four prospects, including top catching prospect Kyle Teel. The Red Sox risk facing a higher price tag if Crochet delivers a Cy Young-caliber season.
“I think that right now, we’re just looking forward to getting through the season,” Crochet said to MassLive.com
The ace made his final Spring Training appearance on Friday against the Pirates, dominating as he had throughout the exhibition games. Crochet threw 5.1 shutout innings, striking out nine.
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Garrett Crochet had an outstanding Spring Training with the Boston Red Sox. In five outings, he threw 15.2 innings, recording 30 strikeouts, eight walks, and finishing with a stellar 0.57 ERA. «I’m pumped for [Opening Day]», Crochet told MLB.com. «I’m really excited and feeling good».