Garrett Crochet Skips WBC After Heavy 2025 Workload, New Daughter

This article breaks down how Team USA manager Mark DeRosa actively pursued Garrett Crochet for the World Baseball Classic. It also digs into why Crochet chose to decline, hoping to protect his workload, and what that decision might mean for Team USA, the Red Sox, and the bigger picture for elite pitching in international play.

DeRosa’s pursuit of Garrett Crochet for Team USA

Mark DeRosa saw Garrett Crochet as a game-changer for the World Baseball Classic rotation. Pairing him with Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes would’ve given Team USA a serious edge.

His goal? Anchor the staff with a frontline arm who could rack up strikeouts and show real command on the world stage. That kind of recruitment shows how managers weigh star power and depth in a tournament that’s all about national pride but also modern pitching realities.

Crochet brings rare velocity and versatility, and he seriously considered the invitation. The chance to show his stuff globally was tempting, but there was a catch: he had to manage his innings and stay sharp for a long Red Sox season.

It wasn’t just about being good enough—it was about timing, pitch counts, and whether one tournament fit into a much bigger plan. That’s a lot to juggle for any pitcher.

Crochet’s decision: weighing workload and timing

In the end, Crochet turned down Team USA, saying his workload and season prep had to come first. He pointed to all the ways an early WBC could mess with his routine, maybe even lead to overexposure or throw off his spring training ramp-up with the Red Sox.

• Innings-cap concerns that could sap his effectiveness later
• Pitch-count issues with a tournament in spring
• The tricky risk-reward of pushing hard in March versus easing into the season
• The Red Sox’s plan to keep Crochet fresh for 2024 and beyond

Impact on Team USA and the World Baseball Classic

Without Crochet, Team USA misses out on a true frontline starter. Even with Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes, losing Crochet means there’s no obvious game-changer at the top of the rotation.

The World Baseball Classic rewards depth and high-end pitching. DeRosa probably imagined a staff that leaned on Crochet’s velocity, his knack for missing bats, and that late-inning swagger to handle tough international lineups.

This really highlights the constant tug-of-war: national teams want big names, but clubs and pitchers have to think about the long grind ahead. Team USA now has to work with what’s left, probably leaning more on their bullpen and rotation depth to cover Crochet’s would-be innings.

Red Sox perspective: spring training and season outlook

For the Red Sox, keeping Crochet around is huge. He’s their ace, the guy they’ll count on for spring training and the whole season.

Sticking with Boston means the team can control his ramp-up, no international interruptions. It’s a clear sign they’re serious about managing workloads and want Crochet at his best when the games really count—especially if they’re chasing a playoff run.

Elite pitching and the World Baseball Classic: what this episode reveals

This episode really shows how much teams value top-tier pitching in the World Baseball Classic. Teams put a lot of thought into protecting their players’ health all year long.

DeRosa’s recruitment push makes it obvious—national teams really want those elite arms to strengthen their rotations. At the same time, pitchers like Crochet have to weigh the perks of international exposure against the risk to their long-term durability.

Honestly, it’s interesting to see how international competition can shake up spring training plans and even impact the regular season. The whole thing just tightens the planning for everyone involved.

 
Here is the source article for this story: After heavy workload in 2025, then birth of daughter, Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet pitching in WBC ‘just didn’t make sense’