The Red Sox recently put many fans' fears to rest by handing out a massive extension to ace Garrett Crochet, overcoming their long-standing fear of giving big contracts to pitchers. The contract is for six years and $170 million, making it the sixth-largest for a pitcher in MLB by AAV. That's showing a lot of confidence in a guy who's barely thrown 200 innings at the big league level.
That means Crochet is already in somewhat elite company when it comes to his paycheck. Props to him for getting there after just one full season as his body of work, and Sox fans are hoping the investment pays off with the proper foresight.
Looking around the league, here's how Crochet's contract stacks up with other, comparable deals for starters.
Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers: 5 years, $136 million
Glasnow is very similar to Crochet in that he has always had tremendous talent, but has often struggled to stay healthy. He had thrown just over 500 innings before the Dodgers handed him his extension. However, he was 30 when he signed this contract. So far, he's proven the Dodgers right, as he was excellent in 2024.
Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks: 6 years, $210 million
Although Burnes' AAV far exceeds Crochet's, he's just one spot ahead of him on the list of most expensive pitchers. A seasoned veteran with a Cy Young award on his résumé, Burnes has been one of the very best pitchers in baseball for the last four years. His track record is clearly far more proven than Crochet's, but, then again, he is five years older.
Carlos Rodón, Yankees: 6 years, $162 million
Rodón's contract wasn't an extension, but he did have a similar history of injury to Crochet, managing just two seasons of over 140 innings pitched before landing this mammoth contract with the Yankees. Although a bitter disappointment in 2023, Rodón bounced back last year, and will be asked to carry more of the load this year as Gerrit Cole recovers from Tommy John surgery.
Aaron Nola, Phillies: 7 years, $172 million
Like Fried, Nola was already in his 30s when he signed this lengthy extension and had plenty of experience under his belt — the complete opposite of Crochet. Nola was once again excellent in 2024, with a 3.57 ERA in 199 1/3 innings pitched. Nola has surpassed 180 innings in each of the last six, excluding 2020.
Max Fried, Yankees: 8 years, $218 million
Another free agent signing, Fried's $27.25 million AAV is very similar to Crochet's, but the term is two extra years. Fried boasted an impressive pedigree entering free agency, but he's already 31 and will be 38 by the end of his deal. Crochet, meanwhile, will be 32 when his extension expires. Like Rodón, he'll have to take on a bigger role this year.