It's unfortunate that left-hander Garrett Crochet of the [Boston Red Sox](https://nesn.com/boston-red-sox) is dealing with his contract situation, but this is part of Major League Baseball. The Red Sox ace is expected to come back sometime over the next few weeks, primarily as a bullpen arm. Crochet hasn't pitched in a game since April with shoulder inflammation.
Because he spent more than 120 days on the IL, a clause in his six-year, $170 million deal was triggered. Crochet will not be able to opt out of the 2030 season in his deal, which would allow him to hit free agency a year earlier.
Now, the Red Sox have a team option worth $15 million.
Speaking to reporters, he said he understands he can't control it, and he's accepted it. In fact, Crochet had some promising things to say, noting that he's excited to come back and try to help his team win a championship.
“I’ve long since accepted it,” Crochet [said](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/23/sports/red-sox-garrett-crochet-return-contract/), per Tim Healey. “Regardless of that, my goal is to come back and help the team in any way that I can.”
It's very possible that the Red Sox and Crochet don't even have to worry about this when the time comes.
Obviously, this is a good thing for the Red Sox and a tough thing for Crochet, but if he continues to throw the baseball at the level everybody expects him to, there's a very good chance he's just going to get a new deal, and he won't have to worry about that too much.
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