The Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox agreed to the biggest trade of the offseason (so far) on Wednesday, closing out the Winter Meetings by agreeing to a deal that sends the All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet to Fenway Park in exchange for a four-player package.
As is custom during the transaction-happy parts of the year, I’m here to give this particular deal the trade grades treatment. Below, you’ll find instant analysis on both sides of the swap, as well as some bigger-picture thoughts and — yes — a letter grade that attempts to convey all of that wisdom and foolishness into a single character.
Before we get to the reason you clicked, here is the trade in whole:
Now, onward.
Red Sox: A
Back in November, I wrote about why the Red Sox should be all-in this winter. The short version is that they have a decent big-league core in place; they have several good prospects nearing their arrival (including Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell — two of my three-highest ranked minor leaguers); and they have the financial flexibility that was carved out over the years by former executive Chaim Bloom.
The Red Sox tried to woo Juan Soto, Max Fried, and a few other top free agents who chose greener pastures (or, at minimum, greener paychecks). It looked like another winter of “we tried” was on the menu in Boston. Fortunately for Red Sox fans, though, top executive Craig Breslow was able to pivot and land Crochet, the top pitcher on the trade block, in a deal that absolutely qualifies as the kind of maneuver I had in mind last month.
Crochet, 25, is fresh off a career redefining season. In his first year as a starter at the big-league level, he compiled a 3.58 ERA (115 ERA+) and a 6.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He did that across 146 innings, or precisely double the amount he had previously thrown in the majors over his first four big-league seasons.
It’s more than fair to have some questions about Crochet’s workload moving forward — not only what he can handle, but how well he can handle it. Simultaneously, there’s ample reason why he was so in-demand. That begins with his cheapness (he’s projected to make $3 million next season) and extends to him being under team control for two more seasons. There’s also, as you may have suspected, his talent.
Crochet has a nasty arsenal that he continues to refine. One of the revelations for him was the addition of a cutter that served as a bridge between his high-octane fastball and trademark sweeper. Crochet then fashioned a sinker late in the year to good returns, suggesting he could have four above-average (or better) offerings to employ heading forward. Combine that repertoire with above-average control (he walked two batters per nine) and an apparent capacity and yearning for improvement, and you have the makings of a front-of-the-rotation force — for now and 2026.
Landing Crochet instead of Soto or Fried means that Breslow should have plenty of financial warchest remaining to make another splash move or two. And, while this trade wasn’t cheap from a prospect perspective, Breslow managed to hold onto his three best youngsters (in my evaluation) and his most intriguing big-league trade chips — think first baseman Triston Casas and outfielder Wilyer Abreu.
There’s certainly a non-zero chance Crochet falls victim to injury again, suppressing or outright eliminating the kind of impact this deal could have on Boston’s fortunes. But that’s the beauty and the agony of the future: it’s unknowable and inaccessible. From where I’m sitting in time and space, this looks like a home run for the Red Sox, and the beginning of their return to the realm of high-competitive baseball.
White Sox: B
There aren’t many teams who had a more eventful, topsy-turvy year with a single player than the White Sox did with Crochet. Their initial decision to use him as a starter was scoffed at — not because of talent, but durability concerns. Their faith in him — and, perhaps moreover, his body — was rewarded when he put forth an All-Star-caliber showing. The White Sox were poised at the deadline to convert that great season into some much-needed long-term help … only to then be blindsided by his own reported demands; among them: a desired extension if he was to pitch into the playoffs.
Four-and-a-half months later, the White Sox have finally traded Crochet. In return, they net whom I would categorize as three of Boston’s top 10 prospects, including the Red Sox’s two most recent first-round selections. Let’s touch on each player now.
- Teel, 22, is an athletic backstop with a track record of being an above-average left-handed batter. He split last season between Double- and Triple-A, hitting .288/.386/.433 with 13 home runs. He combines a patient approach with above-average raw strength, though the latter is more likely to manifest in the form of doubles (rather than home runs) on account of his batted-ball tendencies. There is a swing-and-miss element to Teel’s game that, paired with his aforementioned willingness to work counts, has reliably fueled a strikeout rate at or around 25% as a professional. Teel, whom I considered to be Boston’s No. 4 prospect, has enough going for him to profile as a most-days catcher. He ought to make his big-league debut sometime this spring.
- Montgomery, 21, fractured his ankle during Super Regional play at Texas A&M, costing him the remainder of his collegiate career and delaying his pro debut. He’s a former two-way talent that profiles as a switch-hitting right fielder with a big arm. Montgomery has above-average thump and is particularly adept from the left side.
After making the move to the SEC, he significantly improved his stock by hitting .322/.454/.733. However, scouts have concerns about his ability to make consistent contact, as he struck out in nearly a quarter of his plate appearances during conference play. If he can work on reducing his strikeouts, he has the potential to become a reliable cleanup hitter. Otherwise, he will need to rely on drawing walks and hitting for power to make up for a lower batting average.
In his second full season at Triple-A, Meidroth posted a solid .293/.437/.401 slash line with seven home runs and 13 stolen bases. While he may not possess elite athleticism or power, his exceptional on-base skills make him a valuable asset. With a disciplined approach at the plate and a knack for making contact, he could serve as a dependable infielder for the White Sox, potentially even slotting near the top of the lineup to grind out at-bats and draw walks.
Gonzalez, with over 130 innings at Double-A under his belt, showcased a lively arm but struggled with command, leading to a 4.73 ERA. Despite his quality pitch arsenal, his tendency to issue walks frequently raises doubts about his future as a starter. While the White Sox should give him a chance to develop, it’s likely that he will transition to a bullpen role if he can’t improve his control.
The White Sox have acquired a mix of talented players in this trade, but their ability to nurture these prospects into successful big-league contributors remains uncertain. With varying strengths and weaknesses among the players, including the swing-and-miss issues of Teel and Montgomery and the control problems of Gonzalez, there’s a risk that this package may not pan out as expected. The organization will need to maximize the potential of these players if they hope to see a return to competitiveness in the near future.
Some evaluators have questioned whether the White Sox could have obtained a better package in the trade. Regardless, the team must make the most of the players they received and help them reach their full potential. The success of this trade will ultimately depend on the White Sox’s ability to develop these prospects effectively. paragraph to make it sound more formal:
It is necessary to follow the guidelines provided in order to ensure that the intended outcome is achieved. Failure to adhere to these instructions may result in complications or undesired consequences. It is important to carefully consider each step and make sure that all requirements are met in order to successfully achieve the desired goal.