As the offseason ramps up, the Chicago White Sox find themselves at a crossroads with one of their most talented arms, Garrett Crochet. According to insiders at the General Managers Meetings, the team is poised to trade the 25-year-old left-hander, and it appears to be a matter of 'when' rather than 'if' he will be dealt.
Garrett Crochet's rise in the ranks of Major League Baseball has been nothing short of impressive since his return from Tommy John surgery in 2022. The 2024 season showcased his prowess on the mound, where he notched 146 innings with a respectable 3.58 ERA. Among pitchers who threw at least 140 innings, Crochet led the pack with a staggering 35.1% strikeout rate, reinforcing his status as a formidable presence on the mound.
A Pitching Arsenal in Evolution
Crochet has not only retained his capacity to overpower opposing batters but has also diversified his arsenal. Throughout the 2024 season, he introduced a cutter that clocks in the low 90s, complementing his already formidable repertoire. In a tactical shift late in the season, Crochet added an upper-90s sinker, which proved particularly effective. Opponents struggled against this new weapon, managing a meager .154 batting average when facing it. Although he threw the sinker just 50 times, its deployment was strategic, appearing mostly in his last three starts.
Despite his brilliance on the mound, Crochet is embroiled in a contract impasse with the White Sox. The pitcher demanded an extension as a condition to compete in the postseason, revealing underlying tensions about his future with the team. Having earned $800,000 in 2024, Crochet’s salary is projected to soar to $2.9 million in 2025, a figure that undoubtedly influences the ongoing negotiations.
The Defensive Woes of the White Sox
Complicating matters, the White Sox finished the 2024 season statistically as the worst defensive team. This deficiency affected every pitcher on the roster, Crochet included. While he excelled against right-handed batters, his effectiveness waned somewhat against left-handed opponents, a nuance not uncommon among left-handed pitchers. Still, these challenges only highlight his potential value, either for the White Sox or another team seeking to bolster their rotation.
The impetus for shopping Crochet could further intertwine with organizational strategy beyond financial considerations. With two years remaining under team control, the White Sox might be considering this a pivotal moment to extract maximum trade value from Crochet. However, such decisions are never made lightly, especially considering his refined skill set and the potential he holds for the future.
Rival Evaluators Weigh In
An unnamed rival evaluator summarized the situation by stating, "They're going to trade him this winter. It's not a matter of if. It's a question of when." This assertion encapsulates the industry's consensus on Crochet’s impending move. Teams across the league are likely evaluating their assets, anticipating the ripple effects of such a high-profile trade.
For the White Sox, parting with Crochet will be a significant decision, ultimately aimed at addressing a myriad of team-centric goals, possibly including improving their defensive metrics or investing in developing new talent. Conversely, for Crochet, a trade may offer an opportunity to join a team more aligned with his contract and professional aspirations.
As the baseball world waits with bated breath, the offseason promises a flurry of activity, with Crochet at the heart of the intrigue. The coming weeks will undoubtedly offer clarity on this evolving narrative, defining how both the White Sox and Garrett Crochet will navigate the next chapter in their respective journeys.