Reevaluating Red Sox Rotation After Hook, Buehler Moves originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Boston Red Sox Director of Baseball Craig Breslow began the offseason emphasizing the team’s need to strengthen the starting pitching staff. The front office followed through on several notable changes heading into the new year.
Boston’s biggest contract so far was acquisition of left-hander Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for prospects Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth and Wikelman Gonzalez. Hook gives the Red Sox a true ace, something the rotation has been missing over the past few seasons.
In free agency, the Red Sox signed left-hander Patrick Sandoval And right-hander Walker Buehler. Both veterans have injury issues, but add huge upside to Boston’s previously lackluster rotation.
So what could the Red Sox’ full starting rotation look like in 2025? Who could be the intruder? Here’s a closer look at the projected group:
1. Garrett Hook, LHP
If Hook proves to be more than a one-year wonder, he will give the Red Sox a legitimate Cy Young contender at the top of their rotation. The 25-year-old has some downright dirty stuff, including one of the best fastballs in the sport that averages 97.2 mph and tops out at around 100 mph.
A former reliever, Crochet climbed the hill 32 times last year in his first season in the White Sox rotation. He posted a 3.58 ERA (2.69 FIP) with 209 strikeouts and just 33 walks in 146 innings for the ballclub with 121 losses. Chicago eased the left-hander’s workload in the second half of the campaign as he missed the entire 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery and only pitched 12.2 innings in 2023.
Fear not, Sox fans. Crochet does not expect to require an innings limit in 2025.
“As far as my leash length goes, I hope to not even wear a collar in the second half of next year,” Crochet told reporters during his introductory press conference.
2. Tanner Houck, RHP
Houck wasn’t even expected to be in Boston’s rotation in 2024, but he found his way after season-ending injuries to Lucas Giolito and Garrett Whitlock. The 28-year-old has become 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 nomination.
If Houck can replicate his 2024 numbers, he will give the Red Sox’s new starting rotation a formidable 1-2 punch.
3. Walker Buehler, RHP
The Red Sox reportedly signed Buehler to a one-year contract worth $21.05 million on Monday. This is a low-risk, high-reward pick for a pitching staff that desperately needed some star power.
Buehler is a two-time All-Star with plenty of postseason experience, including World Series titles with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 and 2024. He placed fourth in Cy Young Award voting in 2021 , but had a rough season in 2022 before undergoing Tommy John. operation which forced him to miss all of 2023.
In 2024, Buehler struggled in the regular season with a 5.38 ERA over 16 starts. He found his groove in the postseason, however, posting a 3.60 ERA (2.77 FIP) in four appearances (three starts). He did not allow a run in his six innings pitched during the World Series.
If healthy, Buehler adds a ton of upside to Boston’s talented rotation. He’s a fan favorite in Los Angeles and will become one in Boston if he can end the club’s playoff drought.
4. Brayan Bello, RHP
Bello enters his fourth big league season, still looking to break out. The former top prospect has shown flashes of brilliance, but has yet to live up to the lofty expectations that led Boston to sign him to a six-year extension before the 2024 season.
Although his numbers for 2024 leave much to be desired, Bello was one of three Sox starters to make 30 starts. With injury concerns throughout the remainder of the rotation, he will be counted on to do the same in 2025.
Boston is hoping Bello can pick up where he left off in the second half of the 2024 season, when he posted a 3.00 ERA in August and a 3.55 ERA in September.
5. Lucas Giolito, RHP
It’s unclear if Giolito will be ready for Opening Day, but he joins the roster until further notice. The veteran right-hander signed with Boston last offseason, but did not make an appearance in 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Assuming he enters 2025 without any setbacks, Giolito gives the Red Sox another very promising starter. The 30-year-old was an All-Star in 2019 and earned Cy Young votes in every season from 2019 to 2021.
Giolito’s biggest bug is the long ball. He allowed 41 homers during a difficult 2023 season spent with the White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians. Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey will be tasked with helping reduce that number significantly in 2025.
6. Kutter Crawford, RHP
Crawford looked like the Red Sox’s “ace” to start the 2024 season, but ultimately regressed toward the mean, finishing the year with a 4.36 ERA and 4.65 FIP. He led the majors with 34 home runs allowed.
The way Crawford finished the campaign may have cost him a spot in the rotation for 2025. With the additions of Crochet and Buehler, as well as Giolito’s return from injury, someone has to be the odd man out. Don’t be surprised if Crawford is traded before Opening Day. Otherwise, he could be moved to the bullpen and used sparingly as a starter.
Depth: Richard Fitts (RHP), Josh Winckowski (RHP), Cooper Criswell (RHP), Garrett Whitlock (RHP), Quinn Priester (RHP)
Starting pitching depth appears to be a strength for Boston as we look toward 2025. There are several options if any of the current pieces of the injury-prone rotation break down.
Richard Fitts, a top prospect acquired from the New York Yankees in the Alex Verdugo deal last year, highlights the list. The 25-year-old notched a 1.74 ERA in his first four big league starts.
Winckowski has primarily pitched out of the bullpen, but made six starts for Boston last season. The Red Sox hope to use him solely as a reliever in 2025, but he’s another arm they can turn to if necessary.
Criswell was a pleasant surprise after signing a $1 million contract with the club last offseason. The 28-year-old posted a 4.08 ERA in 26 appearances (18 starts).
Whitlock is expected to be used out of the bullpen when he returns from an elbow injury, but he could become an occasional starter. He had a 1.96 ERA in four starts before seeing his 2024 campaign end prematurely.
Priester was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the 2024 trade deadline in exchange for outfield prospect Nick Yorke. A former top prospect himself, Priester only adds to the rotation’s high upside despite entering 2025 with an uncertain role.
Injured list: Patrick Sandoval, LHP
Sandoval is this year’s James Paxton for Boston. The 28-year-old is expected to miss the first half of the 2025 season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
The Red Sox signed Sandoval to a two-year, $18.25 million contract on Friday. Over six seasons with the Angels, he had his most productive campaign in 2022 posting a 2.91 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 148.2 innings. He has a 4.01 ERA over 107 games (100 starts).
