Red Sox's gamble with new ace could prove costly

Crochet is not eligible for free agency until after the 2026 season. He said he did not want to discuss an extension with the Red Sox after Opening Day, as he prefers to focus on the season.

There was no new contract before the self-imposed deadline. However, Crochet told WEEI's Rob Bradford on Friday that reports of there being a big gap between him and the Red Sox are not accurate.

"I never got that feeling," Crochet said. "You would rather it be that way than have the conversation one time and it’s a large gap, where I’m over here thinking I’m a really good pitcher and there would be a gap, meaning they’re thinking you are less than you.”

Crochet added that the talks were "fairly down to the wire."

It is unclear what the Red Sox offered, but the risk they are taking is obvious. If Crochet continues to pitch the way he did in the spring, the price to sign him to a long-term deal will increase by the day.

The 2024 season was Crochet's first as a full-time starter. He went 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA in 32 starts for an atrocious White Sox team. Crochet threw only 146 innings and underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022, so there are questions about his durability.

In all likelihood, the Red Sox want to see how Crochet holds up over a full season before they pay him like an All-Star ace, which would cost more than $30M per year.

Crochet was at one point said to be seeking a contract similar to the five-year, $136.5M deal Tyler Glasnow signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of last season. If Crochet's spring performance was a preview of what's to come, the 25-year-old will blow that number away at some point.

Time is on Boston's side with Crochet under team control for two more seasons, but waiting is always a dangerous game.