If the Boston Red Sox intend to sign Garrett Crochet to a contract extension anytime soon, they better act quickly.
According to a new report Tuesday, Crochet has told the team he would prefer not to discuss a new contract extension once the regular season begins. Opening Day is nine days away.
"I would rather not (talk contract during the season)," Crochet said, via WEEI's Rob Bradford. "I feel like it could be a distraction for myself and I don't exactly want to be in the clubhouse talking about it with my teammates around me. It's one of those things where I feel like it kind of takes focus away from being where your feet are. Whether it's halfway through the year, first month of the year, or let's say we're fighting for a playoff spot and I'm over here talking about me. I just don't want to take away from what the team's doing."
The Red Sox acquired the 25-year-old right-hander from the Chicago White Sox this offseason for prospects Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, and Wikelman Gonzalez.
Crochet is eligible for free agency in 2027. He signed a one-year, $3.8 million contract with Boston on Jan. 9 to avoid salary arbitration.
As Bradford notes, the Red Sox have a history of extending their best pitchers into their free agency years: Rick Porcello (2016), Chris Sale (2019), and Brayan Bello, who agreed to a six-year, $55 million extension in March 2024.
Crochet went 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA last season for the Chicago White Sox. It was his first year as a full-time starting pitcher, and it resulted in him making - and starting for - the American League All-Star team in July 2024.
This year, Crochet will have escaped the basement of the American League Central division and will be expected to help lead Boston back to the postseason after a down season in 2024.
Tanner Houck and Walker Buehler are the other anchors of a Red Sox rotation that finds itself short-handed to begin the new season. Veteran right-handers Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) are recovering from injuries, as is Bello (shoulder).
The Red Sox begin regular season play on March 27 against the Texas Rangers.
