"Garrett Crochet is going to get more than Max Fried next year" - MLB insider predicts Red Sox’s urgency to lock in the rising star

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet stands to make more than New York Yankees star Max Fried on his next contract, according to former baseball executive Jim Bowden.

On Sunday's edition of MLB Network Radio, Bowden expounded on the need for the Red Sox to sign Crochet now to lock in a favorable contract before Crochet’s value skyrockets.

“It would be difficult, but I think Boston is doing the right thing," Bowden said. "If you’re going to extend him (Crochet), you got to do it now. Because if Crochet lives up to what we think he can be, I think next year, he’s going to get more than what Max Fried just got from the Yankees.”

Those comments underscore the high ceiling that Crochet projects, particularly now that he’s joined the Rex Sox's rotation. If Crochet becomes a true, top-of-the-rotation pitcher, Bowden believes Crochet could eclipse Fried’s eight-year, $218 million deal with New York.

Bowden underscored his point by stating:

“So, your best deal is now, if you can do it. So, I think Craig Breslow and the Red Sox ownership are smart to try and get in there now and get Garrett Crochet signed long-term at this point. I think that’s the right thing to do.”

Crochet signed a one-year deal worth $3.8 million with the Red Sox this offseason to avoid arbitration. Crochet will become an arbitration-eligible free agent next offseason before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

So, the smart money seems to be signing Crochet now before his potential market value explodes.

Red Sox working on Garrett Crochet extension

On Friday, MassLive's Sean McAdam provided an update stating that the Red Sox are working on an extension for Garrett Crochet. According to the report, the team and Crochet’s representatives have met to discuss a long-term deal that could keep the lefty in Boston beyond 2026.

However, determining the best deal for both sides is another matter. Per the report, the Red Sox are looking to extend Crochet based on his potential without considering a solid track record.

This situation is especially true as Crochet missed all of 2022 and a big chunk of 2023 due to Tommy John surgery. His first full season was in 2024, leaving Crochet without a lengthy track record.

Based on that logic, BoSox should err on the side of caution, meaning they should avoid extending Crochet beyond four or five years while maintaining a reasonable AAV, somewhere in the $10 million range.

It remains to be seen if both sides can agree on a deal or if Crochet plays out this season, hoping he can parlay his numbers into an even bigger payday.