The Boston Red Sox simply lacked the talent to match up against the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles. However, Boston does have a solid foundation to work with, meaning a full rebuild isn’t necessary. What the team needs is to make some key acquisitions, and they should do so aggressively. While there are several areas that need strengthening this offseason, the most pressing need is adding at least one, if not two, starting pitchers.
Although there are free-agent pitchers available, many of them would demand hefty contracts and trigger bidding wars. Boston should target pitchers like Jack Flaherty or Max Fried, but they should also consider a trade for Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet. Here’s a potential deal that could bring Crochet to Boston:
LHP Garrett Crochet
SS Franklin Arias (No. 6 prospect), SS Yoeilin Cespedes (No. 7 prospect), OF Miguel Bleis (No. 8 prospect), SS/2B Mikey Romero (No. 16 prospect)
The White Sox are actively looking to trade Crochet this offseason and are losing leverage as time goes on. The longer a deal drags on, especially if it stretches into the regular season, the less expensive Crochet will become for any team. For now, however, his value remains high. If the Red Sox are hesitant to part with their top five prospects, which is likely, they may need to offer a package including their No. 6, 7, 8, and 16-ranked prospects to land Crochet.
Arias and Cespedes are two teenage shortstop prospects, both with well-rounded skills and a track record of hitting over .300 in their professional careers. Bleis has had a tough time since being promoted from rookie ball, though his potential remains high; he’ll need significant development in Chicago. Romero, a former first-round pick, had a strong season last year, posting an .821 OPS across three minor league levels before finishing the year in Double-A.
The Red Sox need to add an ace to their rotation alongside Tanner Houck. If they can acquire Crochet without parting with any of their top five prospects, they should absolutely make the move.
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