The Boston Red Sox have yet to make significant progress in securing a long-term deal with their newly acquired ace. He has previously stated he preferred to either finalize an extension before the season or wait until the offseason to revisit talks. Now, it appears Boston will have to hold off on any major decisions about their future rotation leader. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, unless something unexpected happens, an agreement won’t be reached before Opening Day. “Right now, we’re just focused on getting through the season,” he noted.
While the financial details of a potential deal remain unclear, veteran star is expected to land one of the richest contracts among MLB starting pitchers when the time comes. Currently, only four pitchers—Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, and Corbin Burnes—have deals exceeding $200 million. While he may not yet be on their level in terms of career accolades, the 2025 season will be critical for his future earning power. At 25 years old and entering his prime, he is stepping into the spotlight with a storied franchise, something he never quite experienced during his time with the Chicago White Sox.
Crochet has been highly effective throughout his young career, posting a 3.29 ERA, a 1.155 WHIP, and showcasing one of baseball’s most dangerous fastball-slider combinations. If he replicates that production in his debut season with Boston, he could put himself in position for a massive payday, potentially reaching the $200 million mark. The Red Sox, who are still searching for a true ace in the wake of Chris Sale’s departure, certainly have the financial flexibility to make it happen.
For now, Boston holds Crochet’s rights through the 2026 season, but it feels like a matter of when—not if—an extension will get done. With both sides content to wait, the spotlight will be firmly on Crochet as he aims to prove his worth on one of baseball’s biggest stages.