Crochet doesn't want to talk contract extension during season

Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet isn't keen on discussing a contract extension once the regular season begins.

"For me personally, once the season starts, I would like for whatever conversations are currently being had to be placed on the back burner until the following offseason," Crochet said, according to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe.

"We have a big season ahead of us and we’re trying to do a lot of special things. I don’t want to be a distraction for the team in any way and I myself don’t want to be distracted by having to answer these kinds of questions in the media."

Boston acquired Crochet in a trade with the Chicago White Sox in December for a package of prospects.

The left-hander excelled in 2024 after converting from a reliever to a full-time starting pitcher, recording a 3.58 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 209 strikeouts across a career-high 146 innings.

The 25-year-old is slated for free agency after the 2026 season.

"Any time you have somebody that you feel improves your outlook not just today, but into the future, you want to think about how you might be able to preserve that relationship," Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said of a possible long-term deal with Crochet.

The Red Sox open their season March 27 in Texas.