{"id":108425,"date":"2025-10-15T22:59:05","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T02:59:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=108425"},"modified":"2025-10-15T22:59:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T02:59:05","slug":"behind-crochet-red-sox-hunt-key-rotation-piece-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/10\/15\/behind-crochet-red-sox-hunt-key-rotation-piece-offseason\/","title":{"rendered":"Behind Crochet: Red Sox Hunt for Rotation\u2019s Key Piece in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Garrett Crochet<\/a> stands tall as the ace<\/a> of the Boston Red Sox. But finding a reliable No. 2 starter for 2026 feels like chasing a ghost. Sure, there is plenty of pitching depth, but a lack of experience scars the in-house talent to back up Lou Merloni<\/a>\u2019s \u201cPig.\u201d Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow<\/a> stares down tough calls this winter. He needs to weave homegrown promise with outside firepower. In the end, the Red Sox crave a rotation that clicks from the jump.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brayan
Sep 19, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello (66) walks to the dugout after pitching against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Red Sox Look to Bolster Rotation Behind Crochet This Offseason<\/h2>\n

Building on a Strong Foundation<\/b><\/h3>\n

Crochet was filthy in his first season with Boston. He had a 2.59 ERA, MLB-leading 255 strikeouts, 11.2 strikeouts per nine, and is a Cy Young Award\u00a0finalist. Brayan Bello<\/a> holds down the middle of the rotation<\/a>. He posted career bests in 2025 with a 3.35 ERA over 166 2\/3 innings. It’s a strong foundation for a franchise that is ready for World Series contention. Lucas Giolito<\/a> and Boston have a mutual option that will certainly be rejected, but eligibility for a qualifying offer may keep him at Fenway Park. After Crochet and Bello, questions and speculation arise as to what path Breslow will take to construct a dominant and more reliable rotation. So, what in-house talent can fill the remaining spots? And who is available via trade or signing that is realistic for Boston to target?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Garrett Crochet, 100mph on his 117th Pitch. ?<\/p>\n

11th K. pic.twitter.com\/5oONH5o557<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 1, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n