The Red Sox acquired Garrett Crochet knowing they wanted to extend him. Initial efforts to that end have begun.

The Boston Red Sox have made it clear all offseason long that they intend to rise the ranks in the MLB after a few seasons spent in the middle of the pack. And they certainly have put their money where their mouth is.

The Red Sox made one of the biggest trade acquisitions of the winter, landing Garrett Crochet from the White Sox for four prospects. Boston apparently has interest in keeping its newly acquired southpaw for the longer term.

Thursday marks an important date on the baseball calendar as the Red Sox look to hammer out deals with four key players.

Garrett Crochet is the prized acquisition for the Boston Red Sox this offseason in a blockbuster trade, but Craig Breslow sounds willing and ready to take an even bigger plunge with the flame-throwing southpaw.