What would Boston need to do to land Crochet?

This story was excerpted from Ian Browne's Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

BOSTON -- Eight years ago, the Red Sox were in search of an ace to lead them to their next World Series championship, and they matched up with the White Sox in a Winter Meetings trade that brought Chris Sale to Boston in exchange for a prospect package fronted by Yoán Moncada and Michael Kopech.

With less than a month to go before this year’s Meetings in Dallas, could history repeat itself?

Given the talented young position players the Red Sox have at the Major League level and in the upper Minors, Boston might be the best-positioned club to produce the package to land the highly coveted Garrett Crochet.

Though Crochet doesn’t have the extended track record of excellence Sale had eight years ago, the upside is comparable.

The 25-year-old bounced back from a couple of injury-plagued seasons to become the bright light of a White Sox squad that lost a record 121 games in ‘24.

While pitching 146 innings -- the White Sox had him on a pitch count down the stretch -- Crochet had 209 strikeouts with just 33 walks. He had a 1.068 WHIP and was an All-Star.

You want some deeper numbers?

Per Statcast, Crochet was in the 89th percentile in run value and the 98th percentile for fastball run value. His expected ERA of 2.83 was in the 91st percentile, while his expected batting average against of .206 was in the 89th percentile. His fastball velocity average of 97.2 was in the 92nd percentile. On and on it goes. Chase percentage? 93rd percentile. Whiff percentage? 93rd percentile. K percentage? 98th percentile. Walk percentage? 87th percentile. Extension? 93rd percentile.

Crochet aces all the statistical tests in determining what an ace looks like.

For a Boston rotation that is currently all right-handed, Crochet’s electric left arm could produce an impact similar to what Tarik Skubal gave the Tigers last season.

Crochet has two arbitration-eligible seasons left before he becomes a free agent, which would give the Red Sox plenty of time to work out an extension.

So what kind of package would it take for Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to match up with White Sox general manager Chris Getz?

Start with Boston’s top four prospects as ranked by MLB Pipeline: outfielder Roman Anthony (Red Sox No. 1, overall No. 3), shortstop Marcelo Mayer (Red Sox No. 2), infielder/outfielder Kristian Campbell (No. 3) and catcher Kyle Teel (No. 4).

It’s hard to imagine a trade will happen without one of those four players. Anthony is the player the Red Sox will try the hardest to keep. Thanks to his sweet, left-handed swing and athleticism, they see him as an anchor in their lineup for years to come.

From the Major League roster, Boston could offer right fielder Wilyer Abreu (a Gold Glove Award winner in his rookie season) or first baseman Triston Casas (third in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2023). Ceddanne Rafaela, a brilliant defender in center who can also play the middle infield at an above-average level, could also draw some interest from the White Sox. It will likely take a four- or five-player package for the Red Sox to land Crochet.

After missing the playoffs the last three seasons, Boston has stockpiled enough young talent to be able to package some of it for the purpose of becoming a regular participant in October in the coming years.

Fronting their rotation with Crochet would be a loud statement by Boston’s ownership and front office that they are ready to get back in the conversation of top contenders.