Red Sox Could Gain Contender Status Due to Garrett Crochet Trade and Free Agency Talk amid MLB Rumors

Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesIt has been some time since the Boston Red Sox made an impactful run for MLB’s World Series championship race and have also become one of baseball’s largest, most aggressive spenders – possibly connected? If they do, this could be good news in Beantown where the franchise has sent signals it is finally prepared to spend. Pete Abraham @PeteAbehas noted how ownership has committed itself to adding top talent through free agency contracts; Boras also indicated this. We shall see where things lead! But that is exactly what the Sox are suggesting. After failing to qualify for playoffs since 2021 (their last winning record), Boston heads into this offseason with many hopes and desires in mind; one key requirement will likely be finding an ace pitcher for their rotation. Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford all made progress this past season; none resembled top-of-rotation stars. Houck was almost unhittable during his first half (2.54 ERA with 1.03 WHIP), before becoming slightly hittable (4.23 ERA and 1.34). Crawford and Bello both posted ERAs over 4.30; Boston needs someone special to propel this staff, and there are viable candidates available to them. Buster Olney of ESPN named Boston and New York Mets as his two preferred suitors to acquire him through a blockbuster trade on Baseball Tonight Podcast, though an A Crochet trade would certainly offer upgrades; his injury history can be scary yet his talent incredible. 2024 saw him remain healthy while recording an outstanding 2.69 FIP and posting 12.9 punchouts per nine innings and an outstanding 6.3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Once Boston addresses its top of its rotation, attention can then shift toward its backend. Integrating depth players could transform this team from solid to exceptional, with significant benefits in terms of player retention. Furthermore, Boston must pay special attention to its bullpen. They finished second-worst this past season in terms of missed saves, and Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin will soon enter free agency. Tanner Scott may be among the top targets on the market and they could use that relief player’s presence as leverage against any potential suitors for Juan Soto, such as other teams looking at Tanner Scott as potential acquisition targets. Their lineup may already be strong but some attention or even major addition could boost it further. Although not leading the Juan Soto sweepstakes directly themselves they remain part of it all. Jon Heyman of The New York Post listed Boston among seven teams “known” to have inquired about Soto so far; though its chances were only fifth most likely. Heyman reiterated the sentiment expressed earlier about how Boston “is quietly setting themselves up to begin spending and competing again. “Juan Soto brings both an outfielder and lefty bat to Boston that they don’t require at this moment in time, yet this could still prove beneficial. If it ever makes sense for Boston to add someone of Soto’s caliber, they should do it without delay and figure out the fit later. Should Soto choose not to sign with Boston, Red Sox could look for another right-handed impact hitter who bats from that side of the plate. Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman and Teoscar Hernandez — whom MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported is drawing interest from Boston — are three potential high-end options worth exploring for Boston Red Sox consideration. But there may also be others. They could make aggressive trade or free agent signings or use both avenues simultaneously to expand their roster. It’s crucial that something be done, because this team could soon regain momentum and rejoining World Series race. They need an active offseason with expertly managed management if that goal is to come to fruition, yet have all necessary resources at their disposal to do just that.