One year after acquiring Garrett Crochet in a mammoth trade, the Red Sox are reportedly going to scour the market for more pitching.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Boston Red Sox are going to be aggressive in their pursuit of pitching this offseason.

Agents and rival executives believe that the Baltimore Orioles will be the most aggressive team looking for pitching this winter, with the Mets, Cubs, Alanta, Red Sox, Tigers and Giants also in the mix.

This makes sense, given that the Red Sox are in a World Series window, and that they are slated to see Lucas Giolito hit free agency after the season. Tanner Houck will miss most, or all, of the season with Tommy John surgery. The offseason addition of Walker Buehler didn't work and Boston needs to replace his spot as well, as he was released earlier this year.

So how many do the Sox need?

On the surface, they need to fill three spots: The ones that were claimed by Giolito, Houck and Buehler at the start of 2025.

Of course, the Red Sox are scheduled to get Kutter Crawford back from injury, and he'll be in the mix, while the recently-acquired Kyle Harrison should factor in as well. Other youngsters like Richard Fitts, Payton Tolle and Connelly Early have all posted good impressions.

Therefore, it's likely fair to say that the Red Sox aren't desperate. They have internal options, but if they can land something big to augment Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello, they should do it.

Pending free agents

Chris Bassitt of the Blue Jays is out there, though he'll pitch part of next season at 37 years old. The team could elect to re-sign Giolito, likely having to shell out a multi-year deal.

Framber Valdez figures to be the biggest name on the market and could command in the $75 million range if the Red Sox want to pay that much. Miles Mikolas and Justin Verlander are also out there, as is Dylan Cease, another big name who will require a hefty multi-year deal.

Zac Gallen is available, as is Shane Bieber, who the Red Sox were linked to last offseason.

Trade options

Always a futile exercise at this point in the calendar, but Sonny Gray is coming up on the final year of his deal with the Cardinals, though he's owed $35 million. Luis Castillo is owed $24 million or so from the Seattle Mariners and might be able to be had once his no-trade clause expires on January 1.

But for now

The Red Sox will focus on the regular season finale on Sunday at 3:10 p.m. ET. They've already clinched their first playoff spot since 2021, but the finale will determine whether they are the No. 5 or the No. 6 seed.

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