The MLB trade deadline is still over a month away, so most teams have plenty of time to figure out what direction they'll be headed in at that time, including the Boston Red Sox.
Boston, at 35-34 through their first 69 games, could go either way, considering they've stayed afloat despite battling a number of injuries to impact players this season.
If the Red Sox decide to buy, they'll have a number of needs they could choose to address, and one of them is starting pitching. However, they need to find someone young with years of control.
Enter Chicago White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet.
Crochet, 24, is in his fifth MLB season but first as a starter after coming out of the bullpen from 2020-23. He had Tommy John surgery in 2022, costing him the entire season.
This year, in 15 starts, he's posted a 3.16 ERA (27th in baseball) and a 0.90 WHIP (third) while striking out 116 batters (tied for first).
Boston saw Crochet up close when the two teams faced off a week ago. Crochet threw six innings allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out 10.
The 24-year-old is in his first year of arbitration, meaning he's under control through the 2026 season.
While that's exactly what the Red Sox should be looking for, it also means a trade would cost more. Would Boston be willing to part with one of their big three prospects (Marcelo Mayer, Kyle Teel or Roman Anthony)? Or would Chicago take a package that included guys like Miguel Bleis, Yoeilin Cespedes or Matthew Lugo?
Either way, if the White Sox are willing to move on from Crochet this year, Boston needs to at least make the call. Hell, even if they aren't buying pieces for this year, he'd make their much better in 2025.
