Red Sox LHP Garrett Crochet gets $170M extension, sources say - ESPN

Left-hander Garrett Crochet and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a six-year, $170 million contract extension, sources told ESPN, keeping the 25-year-old ace with the organization that traded for him this winter to lead its rotation.

The deal starts in 2026 and includes an opt-out after the 2030 season, when Crochet would be 31 years old. It guarantees him the most money ever for a player with four-plus years of service, trumping the five-year, $137.5 million contract Jacob deGrom signed with the New York Mets in 2019.

While the sides had been discussing an extension for months, they hit roadblocks because of the difficulty in valuing Crochet. He has thrown only 224 innings in his career, spending 2020 and 2021 as a reliever, missing 2022 after Tommy John surgery, going back to the bullpen in 2023 and transitioning to the rotation with the Chicago White Sox last year. Due to his lack of bulk numbers, Crochet will make only $3.8 million this year after a breakout season in which he struck out 209 and walked 33 in 146 innings.

Boston rewarded him like a frontline starter nevertheless, enticing him with ace-level money that does not include any deferrals and keeping him from reaching free agency after the 2026 season.

The Red Sox saw enough from Crochet this spring to put to rest that possibility. Should he opt out after 2030, Crochet still could receive another nine-figure deal. Left-hander Max Fried, who was 31 on Opening Day this year, received an eight-year, $218 million free agent contract from the New York Yankees. And at 32, left-hander Blake Snell signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for five years and $182 million.

With a fastball that reaches 100 mph and a dastardly cutter he added to his repertoire last