Crochet to Red Sox in blockbuster trade (source)

DALLAS – Eight years ago, the Red Sox struck a blockbuster Winter Meetings trade with the White Sox for an ace lefty pitcher (Chris Sale) that led to the club’s next World Series championship.

On Wednesday, the last day of this year’s Meetings, Boston agreed to a deal with Chicago for a blossoming lefty ace in Garrett Crochet in hopes that history can repeat itself.

The rebuilding White Sox, who lost a record-setting 121 games last season, need prospects. And the Red Sox are sending an impressive group of four, fronted by catcher Kyle Teel, who was rated No. 25 in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects and No. 4 in Boston’s system at the time of the trade.

TRADE DETAILSRed Sox get: LHP Garrett CrochetWhite Sox get: C Kyle Teel (No. 25 overall prospect), OF Braden Montgomery (No. 54 overall), INF Chase Meidroth (BOS No. 11 prospect), Wikelman Gonzalez (BOS No. 14 prospect)

The Red Sox were able to pull off the deal without subtracting anyone from the strong young core of their Major League roster, leaving the club with a robust stable of position players and now the front-line pitcher for the rotation that chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has coveted all winter.

Breslow had engaged in talks with the two lefties in the free-agent market in Blake Snell and Max Fried. After losing Snell to the Dodgers last week and Fried to the rival Yankees on Tuesday, the Red Sox responded with their big answer, one that won’t need a big financial commitment, at least off the bat. Crochet has two arbitration-eligible seasons left.

Though Crochet doesn’t have the extended track record of excellence Sale had eight years ago, the upside is comparable. The 25-year-old, who debuted in 2020, bounced back from Tommy John surgery in 2022 to become the bright light in a rough season for the White Sox.

Crochet was an All-Star for Chicago in 2024, his first year as a starting pitcher in the Majors. While pitching 146 innings -- the White Sox had him on a pitch count down the stretch -- Crochet had 209 strikeouts with just 33 walks. He had a 1.07 WHIP and averaged 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

You want some deeper numbers?

Per Statcast, Crochet was in the 89th percentile in pitching run value and in the 98th percentile for fastball run value. His expected ERA of 2.85 was in the 91st percentile, while his expected batting average against of .204 was in the 89th percentile. His fastball velocity average of 97.2 was in the 92nd percentile. On and on it goes. Chase percentage? 93rd percentile. Whiff percentage? 93rd percentile. K percentage? 98th percentile. Walk percentage? 87th percentile. Extension? 93rd percentile.

Crochet aces all the statistical tests in determining what an ace looks like. The Red Sox hope that Crochet can be one of baseball’s breakout pitchers in ’25, similar to what American League Cy Young winer Tarik Skubal did with the Tigers last season.

For a Boston rotation that was all right-handed, Crochet’s electric left arm provides more balance.

With the addition of Crochet, the Red Sox could have a strong starting rotation that also includes ’24 All-Star Tanner Houck, veteran righty Lucas Giolito (coming off right elbow surgery), Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford. Garrett Whitlock is also in the mix, though he could move to the bullpen.

The addition of Crochet doesn’t necessarily mean the Red Sox are done adding to the rotation. They could add another second-to-mid-tier rotation piece in the coming days or weeks. The Red Sox are also in talks to add a right-handed bat while looking to add at least a couple of more relievers after already acquiring lefty flamethrower Aroldis Chapman.

With Crochet on the verge of joining the Red Sox, the club’s stated goal of getting back to a place where they can compete for an American League East title is more realistic.

The Red Sox missed the postseason the last three seasons, finishing 81-81 and in third place in the East in ’24.

Manager Alex Cora said late in the ’24 season that “I do believe this the last of our struggles.”

That statement was aging well by Wednesday.