Red Sox, Kutter Crawford Agree One-Year Deal to Avoid Arbitration

The Boston Red Sox took a small but meaningful step toward stability this offseason by locking in one of their arbitration-eligible arms. Right-hander Kutter Crawford avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract, ensuring he’ll be back in Boston for the upcoming season.

The deal itself is straightforward. Still, it opens up a bigger conversation about Crawford’s injury struggles, his up-and-down performance, and what the Red Sox are aiming for as they keep talking with other key players.

Kutter Crawford Avoids Arbitration With Red Sox

The Red Sox and Crawford agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million contract. That number matches his salary from last season.

This agreement wipes away the unpredictability of arbitration and lets both sides plan their payroll without extra headaches. Boston keeps Crawford under team control but doesn’t have to make a long-term commitment.

From the club’s perspective, skipping the arbitration process helps keep relationships intact and distractions to a minimum. Crawford gets a little financial security and a shot to rebuild his value after a season lost to injuries.

Insurance for Both Sides

This kind of contract feels like cautious optimism. The Red Sox hope Crawford can contribute, but they’re protecting themselves too, given his recent health issues.

A one-year deal gives the team a chance to see how he bounces back, without putting too much on the line.

A Season Lost to Injuries

Crawford’s 2025 season never really got off the ground. He spent the entire year on the sidelines after a string of physical setbacks.

He opened the season on the injured list with a sore knee and later had surgery on his right wrist in July. That surgery officially ended any shot at a midseason return.

For a pitcher still trying to carve out consistency in the majors, losing a full season can be brutal. Development stalls and timing goes out the window.

Health Remains the Key Question

Crawford heads into his age-29 season with durability now a big question mark. Can he stay healthy enough to log meaningful innings? That’ll probably decide his role in Boston—and maybe his future in the league.

Looking Back at Crawford’s 2024 Performance

Injuries wrecked his most recent season, but even 2024 was a rough ride. He finished with a 9–16 record and a 4.36 ERA, leading all of Major League Baseball with 16 losses.

Even more worrisome, he gave up 34 home runs—the most in the majors that year. As a starter, that made it hard for him to stay in games for long stretches.

A Career Still Searching for Stability

So far, Crawford’s career line sits at 18–31 with a 4.56 ERA. There have been flashes of promise, but he hasn’t managed to put it together for long stretches.

The Red Sox still see some upside, but time isn’t exactly on his side.

What This Means for the Red Sox

Crawford’s agreement is just one piece of the puzzle for Boston. The team still has four arbitration-eligible players without deals:

Teams and players will exchange proposed arbitration salaries on Thursday. That’s a key milestone that usually speeds up negotiations.

The Red Sox have to juggle cost certainty with keeping their roster flexible as they figure out their pitching and position-player depth. Not an easy task, honestly.

An Opportunity for Redemption

For Crawford, the storyline feels pretty straightforward. This contract keeps him in Boston and hands him another shot to show he belongs.

If he can stay healthy and avoid the issues that dogged him in 2024, he might actually become a valuable depth arm. Boston’s always looking for consistency, and maybe he’s got it in him.

With spring training on the horizon, people will keep a close eye on Crawford’s progress. His one-year deal isn’t a sure thing—it’s more about hope than guarantees.

Still, it’s a real opportunity, both for Crawford and the team. Sometimes that’s all you need.

 
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