Reassessing Red Sox rotation after Crochet, Buehler moves originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow started the offseason by emphasizing the team’s need to bolster the starting pitching staff. The front office has followed through with multiple noteworthy moves before the New Year.
Boston’s biggest deal thus far was acquiring left-hander Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for prospects Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, and Wikelman Gonzalez. Crochet gives the Red Sox a bona fide ace, something the rotation has lacked for the last several seasons.
In free agency, the Red Sox have signed southpaw Patrick Sandoval and righty Walker Buehler. Both veterans come with injury concerns but add tremendous upside to Boston’s previously lackluster rotation.
So, what could the Red Sox’ full starting rotation look like in 2025? Who could be the odd man out? Here’s a closer look at the projected group:
1. Garrett Crochet, LHP
If Crochet proves more than a one-year wonder, he’ll give the Red Sox a legitimate Cy Young contender atop their rotation. The 25-year-old has flat-out filthy stuff, including one of the best fastballs in the sport which averages 97.2 mph and tops out around 100 mph.
A former reliever, Crochet took the hill 32 times last year during his first season in the White Sox rotation. He posted a 3.58 ERA (2.69 FIP) with 209 strikeouts and only 33 walks across 146 innings for the 121-loss ballclub. Chicago lightened the southpaw’s workload in the second half of the campaign as he missed the entire 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery and pitched only 12.2 innings in 2023.
Fear not though, Sox fans. Crochet doesn’t expect to require an innings limit in 2025.
“In terms of how long my leash will be, I hope to not even be wearing a collar come second half next year,” Crochet told reporters during his introductory press conference.
2. Tanner Houck, RHP

Houck wasn’t even expected to be part of Boston’s 2024 rotation, but he found his way in following Lucas Giolito and Garrett Whitlock’s season-ending injuries. The 28-year-old stepped up, emerging as the Red Sox’ de facto ace with a 3.12 ERA and 154 strikeouts in 30 starts (178.2 innings). His efforts earned him his first career All-Star nod.
If Houck can duplicate his 2024 numbers, he’ll give the Red Sox’ new-look starting rotation a formidable 1-2 punch.
3. Walker Buehler, RHP

