ESPN Slaps Very Impressive Label On Two Red Sox Offseason Moves

The Boston Red Sox made two significant and much-needed moves to improve the starting rotation for the upcoming season.

Craig Breslow first made a big splash by trading for left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet, and then the Boston executive signed two-time World Series champion Walker Buehler to a one-year deal.

The improvements to the pitching staff landed the Red Sox among ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel’s “favorite” moves of the offseason so far.

“Crochet was the hottest name on the winter trade market, as an ace-adjacent pitcher — if not an ace — on a way-below-market contract for the next two seasons, which is also the window to either lock him into an extension before he hits free agency or grab a compensatory pick when he does,” McDaniel wrote on Monday. “Boston put together a strong package that fits what the White Sox needed, but I don’t think it includes a future star. Boston’s scouting/development success the past few years allowed it to make a deal like this without trading one of its best prospects.

Given how the Red Sox seem focused on building their roster, controllable solid players are needed for putting together a sustainable contender, with stars being the key variables, and Crochet is one.”

McDaniel appears to like the Buehler signing because the Red Sox did not overpay for the veteran hurler.

“Buehler is probably more of a No. 3 or No. 4 starter than a staff ace going forward (I think he’ll settle as a No. 3 guy), though his 2024 season line shows he was still adjusting to a new reality with less dynamic raw stuff,” McDaniel wrote. “He gave a glimpse of that promising new self down the stretch and in the playoffs, and I think Boston is getting a nice bargain for a midrotation starter when some players of that caliber are commanding close to $100 million this winter.”