You know, usually when one of the top pitchers in Major League Baseball signs lucrative contract, it's considered breaking news. But apparently the folks over at MLB.com don't share that same philosophy. If you peruse the homepage at MLB.com, Garrett Crochet's contract extension with the Boston Red Sox is last in a long line of news stories from Monday's baseball action.
Crochet's six-year, $170 million deal with the Red Sox played second-fiddle to stories about torpedo bats, April Fool's Day, Lost Boys (whatever that is), and a Chicago Cubs' catcher who hit a cycle on a minor-league field in Sacramento. Are we serious?
Crochet's extension is the No. 3 on ESPN's homepage, and you don't have to dig too deep on CBS Sports to find a link to the lefty's new deal with the Sox. So why did a website — that's strictly dedicated to baseball — shove Boston to the end of the line?
MLB.com completely disrespects Red Sox-Garrett Crochet news on home page
Crochet's deal, which the Red Sox had been trying to nail down since their trade with the Chicago White Sox this past offseason, should be the talk of baseball today. But instead the New York Yankees have hijacked the headlines once again with their team's use torpedo bats this past weekend.
But while the rest of the baseball world focuses on a piece of altered lumber, Red Sox fans can now turn their attention to a future that will feature Crochet as Boston ace for the next several seasons. There were moments this spring when a deal seemed like a fantasy, but thankfully the two sides were able to comes to terms on a contract that will keep the southpaw in Boston over the long haul.
The reported deal will take Crochet through the 2031 season and includes $2 million per year escalators based on how the lefty finishes in the Cy Young race each season. Crochet's new deal does not include a no-trade clause, but given what Boston gave up to land him, it's doubtful that the Red Sox have any intention of shopping Crochet before his deal expires.
Crochet's contract is the largest ever handed out to a pitcher with four-plus years of service time — something that would usually garner top billing on MLB.com. Maybe if the deal involved the Yankees or the Los Angeles Dodgers, it would be more newsworthy.