Top 10 offseason pitching moves so far
By Lachlan Wellington December 15, 2024 10:24
The MLB off-season is already in full swing with many different teams having already made some big moves. Here are some of the biggest deals for pitchers so far…
1. LHP Garrett Crochet, SP
In one of the biggest pitching trades so far this winter, the Red Sox are trading for left-handed, starting pitcher Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for catcher Kyle Teel (No.4 prospect), outfieldler Braden Montgomery (No.5 prospect), infielder Chase Meidroth (No.11) and Wikelman Gonzalez (No.14). Teel was ranked as MLB’s 25th-best prospect and Montgomery is 54th.
Crochet had a stellar 2024 season being one of the only shining lights for the White Sox. In 32 games last season, Crochet held a 6-12 record with a 3.58 ERA, 146.0 innings, 209 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.09. Additionally, Crochet was named to his first All-Star team in 2024 and won the 2024 Comeback player of the Year. Since his debut in the 2020 season, Crochet has an overall record of 9-19, a 3.29 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Crochet joins a stellar starting rotation for the Red Sox which will also include Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello, Garrett Whitlock and Lucas Giolito.
2. LHP Blake Snell, SP
The already great Los Angeles Dodgers added yet more depth to their starting rotation ahead of the 2025 season by signing Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million contract alongside a $52 million signing bonus and a $66 million in deferred salary. The Dodgers assembled one of the best starting rotations last season, however, they were hit by a cohort of injuries which decimated their depth.
Veteran Snell is still one of the best pitchers in the game. Across the last three seasons he has arguably been as good as anyone, ranking fourth in ERA (2.82), third in FIP (2.98), first in opponent batting average (.189), second in strikeout rate (32.4%) and eight in strikeout-minus-walk-rate (21%). Snell has played 211 games across his career with one complete game, with a 76-58 record, 3.19 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.
3. LHP Max Fried, SP
Left-handed pitcher Max Fried has agreed to a $218 million, 8-year contract with the New York Yankees. This is the largest deal for a left-handed pitcher in MLB history. Additionally, Fried gets a $20 million signing bonus. Fried has played 168 games over his career with a 73-36 overall record, 3.07 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. The veteran lefty will slot in second in the rotation behind Yankees ace Gerrit Cole.
4. RHP Luis Severino, SP
The Oakland Athletics have signed right-hander Luis Severino on a $67 million, two-year contract with a player option for 2027- the largest deal in franchise history. This marks perhaps a shift in mentality with the Athletics willing to pay a player, maybe hoping that they see themselves competing next season with their young core. Sevy is a nine-year veteran in MLB and held a 3.91 ERA with 161 strikeouts in 182 innings for the Mets in 2024. Severino spent his first eight seasons in the league with the Yankees before spending 2024 with the Mets. In his career, the Dominican native holds a 65-44 record in 172 games with a 3.81 ERA and 1.20
WHIP.
5. LHP Nestor Cortes, SP for RHP Devin Williams, RP
In another of the biggest pitching trades so far, the New York Yankees are sending lefty Nestor Cortes to the Milwaukee Brewers alongside infielder Caleb Durbin in exchange for reliever Devin Williams.
Cortes has played in seven major league seasons with a 33-21 overall record, 3.80 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Cortes has had an up and down career to date and has been hampered by injuries but the Brewers will hope he can rediscover his All-Star form from 2022.
Williams meanwhile also struggled with injuries in 2024 but still managed a 1.25 ERA across 22 outings with 14 saves. In his career, Williams has a 27-10 record, 1.83 career ERA and a 1.02 WHIP with 68 saves.
6. RHP Brady Singer, SP
Brady Singer is heading to the Cincinnati Reds, in exchange, the Kansas City Royals acquire second baseman Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer. Singer has an overall career record of 36-44, a 4.28 ERA and 1.33 whip including one complete game.
7. RHP Frankie Montas, SP
The New York Mets have also signed right-handed starting pitcher Frankie Montas to their rotation ahead of the 2025 season. Montas has agreed to a two-year, $34 million deal. The Dominican native has bounced around the major league spending time with the Athletics, Yankees, White Sox, Reds and Brewers. Montas has a 44-46 record with a 4.09 ERA and 1.31 WHIP.
8. Jordan Romano
The Philadelphia Phillies have signed All-Star closer Jordan Romano to a one-year, $8.5 million contract. Romano has spent all six of his major league seasons to date with the Toronto Blue Jays holding a 20-17 overall record, 2.90 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 105 saves in 231 games.
9. Clay Holmes
In one of the more odd deals of the off season to date, the New York Mets signed Yankees reliever Clay Holmes to a three-year, $38 million contract. On the surface this is normal, however, the Mets plan to use him as a starting pitcher despite Holmes not having played this role since his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Holmes has a career record of 24-22 with 74 saves in 311 games with a 3.71 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.
10. Yusei Kikuchi
The Los Angeles Angels have been busy trying to bolster their roster ahead of 2025 and they signed left-handed starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $63 million contract. Kikuchi has a career record of 41-47 with one save in 166 games with one complete game, an ERA of 4.57 and a whip of 1.34.
Other pitching news
Lefty reliever Ardolis Chapman is heading to the Boston Red Sox on a one-year, $10.75 million contract. The Chicago Cubs have signed lefty, starting pitcher Mathew Boyd to their rotation ahead of 2025.
Resigns-
Several pitchers have also resigned with their 2024 teams. Nathan Eovaldi is staying with the Texas Rangers, Jonathan Loisaiga signed back with the Yankees, Michael Wacha resigned with the Royals and Yimi Garcia is staying with the Blue Jays.
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