Matthew Lenz

On a recent Baseball Tonight podcast, Buster Olney said "I think it’s a slam dunk he’s going to be traded, and the two teams I’m watching are the Mets and the Red Sox.” This would be a great get for a Red Sox team that needs an "Ace" to lead their already solid rotation. While the cost will require a massive amount of prospect capital, Olney further stated that “teams that are trying to acquire Crochet know that he will sign an extension" so this would be more than just a two-year "rental". The 25-year-old southpaw became a full-time starter in 2024 after three seasons in a relief role and posted a 3.58 ERA / 2.69 FIP and an elite 29.6% K-BB rate across 146 innings. His 97 mile-per-hour fastball was one of the most effective pitches in baseball holding opponents to a .198 batting average and producing a run value of 15. He also has a cutter, sweeper, and changeup. Yes, the price will be immense but acquiring an elite 25-year-old, controllable starter is hard to pass up. View full rumor

The Rangers are reportedly looking to get under the $241MM luxury tax threshold, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. MLBTR goes on to suggest that arbitration eligible players such as RHP Dane Dunning, OF Leody Taveras, and 1B Nathaniel Lowe as possible non-tender candidates. This was not suggested, but one route is to tender these players and then try to trade them to recoup some value. As the Minnesota Twins learned last season with Kyle Farmer, that can be a risky route to take. Other big contracts include Jacob DeGrom and Jon Gray although, considering they already have a need for starting pitching, they may not be overly willing to move those players. Looking at the arbitration players, the Red Sox could use any of the three players listed for some added flexibility and depth on their active roster or in their pitching staff. Nathaniel Lowe and Leody Taveras grade out as slightly above average defenders with decent bats, while Dane Dunning has experience as a starter and reliever with moderate success in both roles. Given Ray Davis' "number 1 priority" to get under the luxury tax threshold, any of these players could likely be had for a fairly cheap price in addition to their team friendly standing as arbitration eligible players. Adolis Garcia is another name they could pursue as a buy-low candidate, although the Texas Rangers may be more inclined to keep outfielder who made headlines during their 2023 World Series run. Should the Red Sox pursue any of the Texas Rangers? View full rumor

Alex Speier of the Boston Globe recently reported that the Red Sox will be aggressive this offseason, quoting Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy as saying “It’s time to take that next step. It really is time. In their reporting, MLBTR cautiously reminds fans of chairman Tom Werner’s “full throttle” comments ahead of last offseason. The Red Sox enter the offseason with promising depth in the farm system, but have holes to fill in their pitching staff as Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin, and Nick Pivetta are set to be free agents. From a starters perspective, this free agent class is headlined by the likes of Corbin Burnes and Blake Snell with other attractive options including Jack Flaherty and Max Fried. The reliever class lacks an elite name like Burnes or Snell, but does include star power with Aroldis Chapman headlining the group followed by a solid group of high leverage arms in Jeff Hoffman and AJ Minter, among others. What names and positions would you like to see the Red Sox pursue this offseason? View full rumor