The Boston Red Sox are urgently seeking to strengthen their starting rotation, particularly with left-handed pitchers. With Blake Snell now off the market after joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, their focus shifts to free-agent Max Fried and trade target Garrett Crochet of the Chicago White Sox. While the Red Sox would ideally acquire both pitchers, that’s unlikely. Securing just one of these lefties would be sufficient to lead their rotation, as long as they continue to build support around them. However, two National League teams, the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds, have emerged as potential competitors for Crochet, according to Mike Chiari of Bleacher Report.
“The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are reportedly in the mix to acquire pitcher from the Chicago White Sox in an offseason trade,” Chiari wrote. “After serving exclusively as a reliever over his first three MLB seasons, the 25-year-old Crochet had a breakout year as a starter in 2024, emerging as one of the few bright spots for a White Sox team that was one of the worst in league history with a 41-121 record.”
The Cubs have some depth in their starting rotation, but they also have a few pitchers with hefty contracts. If Chicago were able to acquire Garrett Crochet, it could make them more open to trading a pitcher like Jameson Taillon, who earns significantly more than the White Sox left-hander. Meanwhile, the Reds have already bolstered their staff by adding Brady Singer this offseason. However, their rotation is young and somewhat uncertain. Nick Lodolo is very talented but struggles with injuries, while Andrew Abbott is a reliable innings eater, though his FIP is a full run higher than his ERA. Cincinnati could benefit from adding another arm of Crochet’s quality, with third baseman Noelvi Marte potentially being the centerpiece of the trade package.
The Reds strengthened their pitching staff by acquiring Brady Singer this winter, but their rotation remains young and uncertain. Nick Lodolo is highly talented but struggles with injuries, while Andrew Abbott is a reliable innings eater, though his FIP is a full run higher than his ERA. Cincinnati could certainly use another arm, especially one of Garrett Crochet’s caliber. Third baseman Noelvi Marte could be the key piece in a trade package for him.
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