Starting pitcher Garrett Crochet #45 of the Chicago White Sox (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
Garrett Crochet was the only Chicago White Sox player to make the MLB All-Star Game this season, as he's currently developing into a young ace starting pitcher. Typically, a 25-year-old, emerging top of the rotation guy would be absolutely off the trading block, but these aren't typical times
The White Sox are currently on pace to finish one game worse than the infamous 2003 Detroit Tigers, who ended up 43-119. Losing 120 times would match the current Sox with the team that baseball historians consider the worst of the modern era - the 1962 New York Mets, who had a record of 40-120.
Crochet is available, but only at the right price, due to the fact that his team's competitive window is so far away. Most likely, by the time he enters his prime years of age 27-28, the team still won't be contenders. That's how down the team is right now. This is just one of "multiple factors" that are making all trade proposals "somewhat complicated," according to RG’s sources within the organization.
One of our sources indicated that the interest in Crochet is very high, but the Sox will only move him if the right deal comes along. Another source said the club could even wait until the offseason to trade Crochet, because the number of potential suitors would be much higher, and they would obviously get more in return.
Versus moving him at the deadline when only contending teams are in the running to get him. They also concern about Crochet's durability as he entered 2024 with only 217 1/3 innings pitched over the six-year period from 2018 to 2023, between college and professional baseball.
As of now, he has pitched over 111 innings this season, far above his previous single season high of 65 innings, which came during his second college season at the University of Tennessee. Lots of teams have shown interest in Crochet, and the list includes the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. By Friday afternoon, the Dodgers have been the most strongly linked, but there has been some traction with the Padres too.
However, the fact that Crochet doesn't have the track record as a major innings eater is making some teams a little more hesitant. Another factor is his contract situation, as the former Vols star desires an extension, before he agrees to pitch in October. Obviously, he won't be pitching with the Sox in October, as they are long eliminated from postseason contention.
Another issue further complicating matters is Crochet's potential role. Both in college and in the majors, he's been both a reliever and a starter. As has been widely reported, he believes he's firmly established himself as a starter, and wishes to remain one. He does not want to go to a club where they will utilize him in a bullpen role.
All in all, what happens to Crochet, come deadline day, is still up in the air. However, for the long term, it is looking like Crochet is headed down the same career arc as Chris Sale. Both are pitchers that the Sox took in the first round of the MLB Draft, fast-tracked to the majors very quickly, but then traded away before too long.
Our sources also went on to say that star centerfielder Luis Robert has attracted a lot of interest from other teams, but the Sox won't give him away on the cheap. And while another pitcher, Erick Fedde, is the most likely Sox player to be moved, they will only part ways with him if the right deal comes along.
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