The Red Sox avoided arbitration with three key members of their pitching staff on Thursday, agreeing to one-year contracts with lefty Garrett Crochet ($3.8 million), righties Tanner Houck ($3.95 million), and Kutter Crawford ($2.75 million), according to MLB.com.
The team has not publicized the agreements yet, but is likely to at some point Thursday evening.
Boston’s only remaining arbitration-eligible player is outfielder Jarren Duran, who had a breakout season in 2024, earning the Most Valuable Player award at the All-Star Game.
The news of the deals with Crochet, Houck, and Crawford broke on the same day that all teams were due to exchange arbitration figures with qualified players.
Although the exchange deadline has passed, the Red Sox may still negotiate an arrangement with Duran in the coming days. Arbitration proceedings begin next month.
Duran started 160 of Boston’s 162 games in ’24, hitting.285/.342/.492 with 111 runs, 48 doubles, 14 triples, 21 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases.
Craig Breslow, the Red Sox’s chief baseball officer, acquired Crochet from the White Sox in December for four prospects. Crochet, at this point, represents the club’s most significant winter acquisition, as he could be on the verge of becoming an ace following a strong first full season as a starting pitcher for the White Sox in ’24.
Houck emerged as Boston’s ace during the first half of the 2024 season, joining Crochet as an AL All-Star. However, he slowed down in the second half, possibly due to the most demanding workload of his career (178 2/3 innings).
Crawford got off to a good start in ’24, but slowed off later. He tied for the Major League lead with 33 starts, thus his ability to post every day was significant for Boston.
