The Boston Red Sox just witnessed a surprising turnaround when Cooper Criswell – who appeared in 33 games over two seasons – was acquired by the New York Mets via waivers. In the context of the Red Sox struggling to rebuild the roster and find stability in the pitching staff, losing a reliable arm like Criswell immediately caused turmoil within Fenway and the fan community.
Not an All-Star pitcher, not the owner of a 98 mph fastball, but Criswell is the type of pitcher that the Red Sox often lose before they appreciate: durable, stable, low drama and ready to carry the load whenever the team needs. In the 2024 season, he started 18 games, playing the role of spot starter and bulk reliever, bringing versatility that not many pitchers in the system can do. A 4.00 ERA over two years isn’t exactly a headline-grabbing number, but with a pitching staff lacking depth, it’s an asset that can’t be missed.
According to ESPN, the Mets pounced on the opportunity, claiming it before anyone else could react. What makes Red Sox fans wonder: why did Boston let Criswell go on waivers when the pitching market was at its tightest?
Are they confident in their young players? Or is this just a roster misstep?
Whatever the reason, the decision is drawing strong criticism from the leadership – especially since Criswell is the type of player Chaim Bloom once tried so hard to protect.
The New York Mets are rebuilding their pitching staff after a dismal season, and Criswell is a bargain: a pitcher who can play rotation or long-term bullpen at a low cost. With a 4.00 ERA in 33 games – including seven appearances last season – Criswell brings the kind of stability any team would want at the bottom of their rotation.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox missed out on retaining a player who fits the “gritty baseball” philosophy that has defined Fenway for the past decade. Instead, they now find themselves in the middle of a cold winter with a difficult-to-fill vacancy and an increasingly controversial decision.
Red Sox social media immediately exploded with anger, frustration and concern.
It’s not that Criswell is a big star, but that he’s the kind of player who shows up at the right time and puts in the right place – the kind of player every team wants to upgrade but never wants to lose.
Many Boston fans have even dubbed this “Bloom 2.0,” referring to a period in which the Red Sox have consistently lost talent without getting anything in return.
The only thing that can calm fans right now is that a bigger move is on the way. The Red Sox could be looking to sign a more senior pitcher, or they could be looking to restructure the bullpen in other ways. But until any of those moves materialize, losing Cooper Criswell to the Mets is a tough blow to swallow.
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