The MLB winter meetings are this weekend, and it could be an eventful period for the Boston Red Sox.
All eyes will be on Juan Soto and his free-agency decision as the All-Star outfielder and his agent Scott Boras continue their process. However, other top names in the free-agent and trade markets could find new homes.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and David Schoenfield previewed the winter meetings Tuesday and offered a trade they’d like to see happen. McDaniel believes the Chicago White Sox should trade Garrett Crochet to Boston.
“The Red Sox need to add another frontline arm to continue their climb back into playoff contention and Crochet fits their current payroll structure better than a free agent option,” McDaniel wrote. “The cost will be steep in prospects, though, as Crochet has two years of control at under $10 million total despite being one of the better pitchers in baseball after a breakout 2024 campaign. He’ll be a nine-figure free agent after those two years, so expect extension talks soon after a trade.”
McDaniel added that it could take at least one top-100 prospect and another in similar standing to get a deal done. Crochet is coming off an All-Star season and enters his prime years as a starting pitcher. It shouldn’t be surprising that the White Sox would want at least one foundation piece in return.
The addition of Crochet would not deter Boston’s pursuit of Soto. In fact, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal believes Crochet would help “complement” the blockbuster signing of Soto.
There could be many moving pieces at the winter meetings, but the momentum continues to grow on the Red Sox making multiple big moves.
