The Boston Red Sox: Still in the Pitching Market After Acquiring Garrett Crochet
As the winter months roll on and MLB teams begin to solidify their rosters for the 2024 season, one thing has become clear for the Boston Red Sox: they are not done with their pursuit of pitching. The recent acquisition of Garrett Crochet, a promising left-handed reliever from the Chicago White Sox, has added depth to the bullpen, but the Red Sox remain active in the pitching market as they look to bolster both their rotation and relief corps.
Despite the addition of Crochet, the Red Sox have made it evident that they are still seeking to upgrade their pitching staff ahead of the new season. With the franchise coming off a middling 2023 season and looking to compete in the highly competitive American League East, securing additional pitching arms remains a priority for team president Chaim Bloom and the front office.
This article will explore the context of the Red Sox’s current pitching needs, the significance of acquiring Garrett Crochet, and the possibilities that lie ahead as they continue to pursue more pitching talent.
The State of the Red Sox’s Pitching Staff
Heading into the 2024 season, the Red Sox have a relatively young pitching staff, but their overall pitching performance in 2023 was far from ideal. Boston’s rotation, in particular, struggled for consistency. The starting pitchers had a combined ERA of 4.73, which ranked 16th in the league. For a team that wants to compete with the juggernauts of the AL East—like the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Tampa Bay Rays—a below-average pitching staff is a significant obstacle.
In the bullpen, Boston’s 4.53 ERA ranked 20th in Major League Baseball. The struggles of their relievers were particularly evident in high-leverage situations. The Red Sox also had trouble closing out games, with the closer role being a revolving door throughout the season. These pitching deficiencies left the Red Sox unable to sustain momentum during key stretches and often undermined what was otherwise a potent offensive lineup.
The need for pitching, both in the rotation and in the bullpen, was clear as the front office entered the offseason.
Garrett Crochet’s Impact on the Bullpen
The acquisition of Garrett Crochet in December 2024 represented a clear attempt by the Red Sox to shore up their bullpen. Crochet, a 24-year-old left-hander, was a former first-round draft pick by the White Sox in 2020. With a fastball that touches 100 mph and a slider that can be devastating to left-handed hitters, Crochet offers an intriguing blend of power and potential.
Crochet’s career has been somewhat stop-and-start due to injuries, but when healthy, he has shown the ability to dominate. In his first season (2020), he posted a 2.31 ERA in 14 appearances, striking out 33 batters in 23.1 innings. However, in subsequent seasons, Crochet has battled injuries, and in 2023, he had a less-than-ideal campaign, posting a 4.65 ERA. Nevertheless, the Red Sox are banking on a bounce-back year for Crochet, especially given his raw stuff and youth.
Crochet’s value lies in his ability to be an overpowering weapon out of the bullpen. His heat and movement on his slider make him a tough matchup for left-handed batters, and he can be a valuable piece in late-game situations. If Crochet can regain his form from his rookie season, he could emerge as a high-leverage option for manager Alex Cora.
However, while the acquisition of Crochet is a positive step for the bullpen, it is clear that the Red Sox cannot stop their pitching pursuit there. To be truly competitive in the AL East, they will need to upgrade both their rotation and bullpen with further moves.
The Red Sox’s Continued Pursuit of Pitching
After adding Crochet to their roster, the Red Sox have made it known that they are still in the market for more pitching. This comes as little surprise given the uncertainty surrounding several members of their current rotation, as well as the ongoing need for a more reliable bullpen.
Starting Rotation Needs
Boston’s starting rotation for 2024 currently consists of several question marks. While the team does have some promising arms, it lacks the true ace that could elevate the unit to the level needed to compete for a playoff spot.
The biggest question mark in the rotation is Chris Sale. Once one of the best pitchers in baseball, Sale has struggled with injuries in recent years and has not been able to stay on the field. In 2023, he made only 22 starts and posted a 4.5 ERA. While there were flashes of the old Sale, his durability and ability to perform at an elite level over a full season are in doubt. The Red Sox are hopeful that he can stay healthy, but that is far from guaranteed.
Nick Pivetta, who spent much of the 2023 season in the bullpen, is another pitcher whose role remains in flux. Pivetta has the potential to be a solid starter, but his inconsistency and tendency to give up home runs have raised concerns. The Red Sox will likely need him to be more dependable in the rotation if they are to compete.
The rest of the rotation is filled with uncertainty. Tanner Houck, while showing flashes of promise, has struggled with command and control. The Red Sox also have a few young arms such as Brayan Bello, who had a strong 2023 season with a 3.68 ERA in 22 starts. However, Bello is still developing, and Boston needs him to take a step forward in 2024.
Thus, the Red Sox will likely look to add at least one starting pitcher, if not two, this offseason. They are expected to target veteran arms who can provide stability and innings. The free-agent market offers a number of intriguing options, including pitchers like Sonny Gray, Jordan Montgomery, and Marcus Stroman, who can contribute immediately.
Bullpen Depth
While the addition of Crochet adds depth to the bullpen, the Red Sox are still in need of a reliable closer and more late-game options. The closer role was a revolving door in 2023, with several pitchers given opportunities but failing to lock down the job.
Kenley Jansen, who was signed to a two-year deal before the 2023 season, had an up-and-down year. While he posted a solid 3.38 ERA, he struggled with his command at times, leading to inconsistency in his save opportunities. If Jansen returns to form, he can once again be a solid back-end option, but the Red Sox cannot count on that as their only solution.
In addition to Crochet, the Red Sox could look to add another high-leverage reliever. There are several potential targets in free agency, including pitchers like Craig Kimbrel, who has been a reliable closer for much of his career, and a number of emerging younger relievers who could add value at the back end of the bullpen.
The Competitive AL East Landscape
One of the key reasons why the Red Sox cannot afford to rest on their laurels when it comes to pitching is the highly competitive nature of the AL East. The New York Yankees remain a perennial powerhouse, with a rotation led by Gerrit Cole, and the Toronto Blue Jays have one of the most dynamic offenses in baseball, bolstered by strong pitching. The Tampa Bay Rays are always a contender thanks to their stellar pitching staff, and the Baltimore Orioles are on the rise, with a young and talented pitching core.
In this environment, the Red Sox must address their pitching issues if they hope to remain competitive in the division. The pitching market remains crowded, and the Red Sox will need to move quickly and decisively if they want to land the arms that could elevate their team.
Conclusion
The Boston Red Sox have made a significant move by acquiring Garrett Crochet, adding a powerful left-handed reliever to their bullpen. However, the team is far from finished in its pursuit of pitching help. With a starting rotation that is in flux and a bullpen that needs more consistency, the Red Sox must continue to be aggressive in the pitching market.
Whether through free agency or trade, the Red Sox will need to find solutions that can provide stability and reliability on the mound. As they continue their search for pitching, it’s clear that they are determined to build a competitive roster for the 2024 season, one that can go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the American League East.
For Red Sox fans, the hope is that these moves will position the team to not only contend for a playoff spot but to also contend for a World Series in the near future. The next few weeks and months could be pivotal in shaping the future of the franchise, and pitching will be the key to their success.
