The Boston Red Sox are approaching a pivotal moment with their pitching staff as early May looms. Currently, they've settled on Connelly Early in the starting rotation, shifting Johan Oviedo to the bullpen for long relief duties.
Kutter Crawford's journey back to the rotation has been anything but smooth. Last year was a tough one for Crawford, who didn't pitch a single game due to two significant injuries.
Initially sidelined by knee issues that developed into patellar tendinopathy, he started the season on the injured list. His situation worsened when he injured his wrist in an unfortunate accident at home, requiring surgery that ended his season prematurely.
As we dive into the 2026 MLB season, Crawford's prospects for breaking into the rotation remain slim.
The Red Sox might need to consider trading Kutter Crawford this season. Last year, cracking the rotation was challenging enough with Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito, Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, and Walker Buehler leading the charge. This doesn't even account for mid-season call-ups like Hunter Dobbins, Richard Fitts, Connelly Early, and Payton Tolle.
Crawford might have found his way into the lineup after injuries to Houck and Dobbins, but starting the season in the rotation was a tall order.
Now, 2026 presents an even tougher scenario, despite losing Dobbins, Fitts, and Kyle Harrison in the offseason. The rotation, featuring Crochet, newly-acquired Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, Brayan Bello, and Early, seems like an impenetrable fortress for Crawford. His trade value is at a low point, despite a solid 2024 season where he led the team with 175 strikeouts, albeit giving up 34 home runs and posting a 4.34 ERA.
Given these circumstances, the Red Sox could potentially package Crawford with a couple of prospects for a bullpen asset by the trade deadline. While that decision is still a few months away, it's a real possibility.
As things stand, Crawford isn't cracking the rotation, especially with Early, Oviedo, and Payton Tolle eyeing that fifth spot. Even with Tolle in Triple-A, his chances of joining the rotation this year seem higher than Crawford's.
It seems clear that Crawford's time in Boston is drawing to a close, and a parting of ways may be on the horizon.