Garrett Crochet, the Boston Red Sox ace, addressed the tough questions surrounding the team without hesitation.
In a special chat with MassLive’s Christopher Smith, the left-hander opened up about Rafael Devers’ surprising trade. Although the timing was unusual and the clubhouse was stunned, he spoke calmly and openly.
Garrett Crochet Says Front Office Does Not Owe Players an Explanation
Seen as a cornerstone for the Red Sox after his offseason acquisition and new contract, Crochet was one of the first to discuss the trade openly. He admitted there was some initial disbelief in the clubhouse.
“It was a shock for sure after the run that we just had this past week,” Crochet said.
However, he quickly shifted to a forward-looking mindset, adding, “After having the day to process it, I think we’re just focused on moving forward as a group.”
What stood out most was Crochet’s support for the front office’s decisions. “I think the front office doesn’t owe us an explanation. Quite frankly, what they’re doing is what’s best for the team, and we have to respect that,” he told Smith. “As players, it’s on us to just continue to do our job.”
More Garrett Crochet on Rafael Devers trade: “I think that the front office doesn’t owe us an explanation. Quite frankly, what they’re doing is what’s best for the team and we have to respect that. I think as players it’s on us to just continue to do our job.
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) June 16, 2025
Crochet also put the team’s position into context, stating, “Quite frankly, for us it’s just let’s keep stacking wins. Like I said, we’re coming off a really good week, but all that did was get us back to .500. We obviously have to keep pushing forward, and we still have a lot of ground to make up to be the team we want to be.”
In hindsight, the Devers trade was part of a bigger plan and the latest step in a series of decisions that began in the offseason. In the offseason, the Red Sox also signed third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract, including Crochet.
These moves reflected a bold push to strengthen the roster, but also created a bit of a logjam. Devers, who signed a 10-year, $313 million deal in January 2023 to stay at third base, suddenly faced competition for his spot after Bregman arrived.
Tensions rose when Devers declined to move from third base to first base to make room for Bregman, a Gold Glove winner.
The situation worsened after first baseman Triston Casas had a season-ending injury, prompting Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow to ask Devers to move to first base. Devers, feeling disrespected by the ongoing requests for him to change positions, took to the public to criticize Breslow and the Red Sox organization.
David Ortiz says Rafael Devers’ ego was what ruined his relationship with the Red Sox pic.twitter.com/L0DRQHLOt6
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 16, 2025
In the wake of a tense clubhouse, Crochet’s comments matched those of other veterans, as the team shifted its focus to keeping its momentum going and entering the second half of the season on a high note.