FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Red Sox and Garrett Crochet continue to talk about a possible contract extension, but it appears time might be running out to get something done before next offseason.
"The conversation we’ve had is just Opening Day," Crochet told WEEI.com regarding the date he has decided all focus will shift away from contract talks and toward baseball for the rest of the 2025 season.
Crochet added, "I would rather not (talk contract during the season). 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 25-year-old Crochet is under team control for this season and next, slated to make $3.8 million for 2025.
Considering the players allotted to secure the services of Crochet - top prospects Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, along with highly-regarded minor leaguers Chase Meidroth and Wikelman Gonzalez - it was a forgone conclusion that there would be some contract extension talk after the lefty's arrival with the Red Sox.
The team has a history of coming to terms with pitchers in spring training, having done so with Rick Porcello (2016), Chris Sale (2019) and last year with Brayan Bello, who agreed to his six-year, $55 million extension in early March.
Crochet is a unique situation, however, considering his upside, age and relative limited sample size as a top-of-the-rotation starter.
This spring training, the southpaw has done nothing to advance the conversation regarding his status as one of the best starting pitchers in baseball. In 10 1/3 Grapefruit League innings, he has struck out 21 while giving up just one run.
It's the kind of image and production that would figure to lead Crochet past the deal this offseason to another CAA client, Max Fried, who is almost six years older than the Red Sox Opening Day starter and carrying an eight-year, $218 million deal.
If Crochet does what most in baseball think he will do this coming season, the price tag will likely blow past every other starting pitcher in baseball. But, from the Red Sox point of view, there is the opportunity to try and siphon some certainty by waiting out what would be Crochet's second full season as a big league starter.
In other words, the motivation and approach might be a bit murky from both sides considering Crochet's complicated situation.
What is certain is how the pitcher will be approaching the topic if not signed by March 27.
"I feel like it’s one of those things that just makes sense," Crochet reiterated.