Red Sox Retrospective: Cooper Criswell's Journey to Boston

[Nick John]

When the Boston Red Sox signed Cooper Criswell before the 2024 season, many fans joked about it and were upset that, at the time, he was arguably the team’s biggest offseason signing after a 2023 season that saw the team fall apart down the stretch.

Prior to joining the Red Sox, he had spent parts of three seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays as a roster fill-in, making two starts in two seasons with the Angels and making 10 relief appearances with the Rays. He was not viewed as someone who was going to help the rotation in a serious manner, yet Craig Breslow made sure to bring him into the organization.

Criswell opened the 2024 season in Worcester, serving as pitching depth in the event the major-league squad needed pitching. Fortunately for the Red Sox. he got off to a hot start, allowing just one earned run in his first 10 1/3 innings before being called up to Boston. His first start was nothing too special, going four innings and holding the Angels to two runs on five hits a day after they had scored seven runs against Tanner Houck.

It wasn’t until his second start (and third appearance) where Criswell got going, as in his next 19 1/3 innings, he allowed just three earned runs and the Red Sox won his next four starts. He cemented himself as a back-of-the-rotation option for the next few months, even with a couple of bad outings interspersed. But following a June 15 outing against the New York Yankees where he allowed just two runs over four innings, Criswell was optioned back to Worcester to make room for Chris Martin, who was coming off the injured list.

He wouldn’t be gone for long.

Recalled for a July 12 game against the Royals, Criswell would remain with Boston for the remainder of the season, bouncing between the rotation and bullpen as needed. In his first year with Boston, Criswell would go 6-5 with a 4.08 ERA in 26 appearances, 18 of them being starts. He would give the Sox 99 1/3 innings and managed to strike out 73 batters in that span. He wasn't a flashy signing, but he more than did his job when called upon.

There were questions about if he would remain with Boston for 2025, but once he was given an extra option year, it was clear he would remain with the team as a depth option. He had pitched well enough in 2024 to be given that chance, and entering the 2025 season, he made his first Opening Day roster as an arm out of the bullpen.

Unfortunately for Criswell, much like in 2024, he did not perform as well out of the bullpen and only made three appearances (including a three-inning save in the second game of a doubleheader with the Cardinals on April 6) where he gave up eight runs, five earned runs, in 4 1/3 innings. Following the doubleheader, he was optioned to Worcester, where he remained until the beginning of June. Criswell would make two appearances in his latest stint, faring better out of the bullpen as he would throw 4 2/3 innings and allow just a single run. But thanks to being optionable, Criswell was sent back to Worcester, allowing the Red Sox to keep roster flexibility with their pitching staff.

The veteran pitcher would be called up once more, making a single appearance on July 2 where he went 1 2/3 without allowing a run against the Cincinnati Reds. Criswell provided innings out of the bullpen when the team had fallen behind 8-4 and allowed Alex Cora to keep his top arms rested. Criswell knew his role for the 2025 season and much like in 2024, he served it to the best of his ability. That was none the more obvious than in what may have been his best start with Boston.

Needing a starter for an important August 1 game against the Houston Astros, the Red Sox turned to Criswell to take the mound. To say the game was important was an understatement, as the Red Sox were fighting with Houston at the time for a wild card spot and this was the first game of a three-game series. Criswell didn’t stumble; instead, he absolutely cruised on the mound as he kept Astros hitters from taking control of the game.

Needing just 84 pitches, Criswell pitched around seven base hits and two walks to hold the Astros to a single run, giving the team every opportunity to score against Cy Young-candidate Hunter Brown. And the team managed to do so, tying the game in the seventh inning before walking it off in the tenth. Criswell’s heroics set the tone for the series as the Red Sox swept the Astros and gave themselves some breathing room.

In return, Criswell was optioned to Worcester where he would make two more appearances before finally getting shut down due to right elbow inflammation.

As the season ended, it seemed like Criswell would be designated for assignment or non-tendered as younger, more talented pitchers had emerged within the system. Instead, the Red Sox signed him to a one-year deal to avoid arbitration.

Then, the news came out on December 4 that he had been designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Johan Oveido and Tyler Samaniego.

He was subsequently claimed off waivers by the New York Mets, ending his tenure (at least for now) in Boston. Criswell won't be looked back upon as a franchise legend, but he always stepped up for the team when they needed him. For that, he should be remembered fondly by Red Sox fans.

 

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