Garrett Crochet, the starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, is one of the most sought-after MLB trade candidates in 2024, attracting interest from teams such as the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. If any club wants to acquire the potential 2024 All-Star pick, it will come at a significant cost.
While Yankees rumors frequently link the organization to great players who may be available, one difference with Crochet is that Chicago appears to be eager to trade him. The team is just starting a multi-season makeover and has one of MLB’s weakest farm systems. The White Sox are pondering a blockbuster trade in July, but any team that wants him must be willing to unload its farm system.
Garrett Crochet statistics (FanGraphs): 3.16 ERA, 12.63 K/9, 35.7 percent strikeout rate, 29.8 percent K-BB rate, 0.90 WHIP, and.182 batting average allowed in 82.2 innings pitched.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, making a trade with the Chicago White Sox for starting pitcher Garrett Crochet would necessitate paying a ‘exorbitant’ asking price. Furthermore, the seasoned MLB reporter says that any team that acquires him should consider converting him to a reliever in the postseason.
While MLB teams are allegedly not put off by Crochet’s injury history, which includes Tommy John surgery, it is understood that his workload will be limited. Crochet has already pitched more innings in 2024 (82.2) than in his previous three major league seasons combined (73). This season, his workload will have to be limited at times.
The revelation on the asking price comes just days after Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Padres are interested in Crochet, with general manager A.J. Preller eager to add a right-handed pitcher. Jon Heyman of the New York Post had earlier reported the Yankees’ interest in Crochet and Michael Kopech.
San Diego already gave up some of its top prospects before the season to acquire starting pitcher Dylan Cease from the White Sox. While this would presumably reduce the club’s chances of trading for Crochet, it also emphasizes the two teams’ trade history and how well the White Sox understand the Padres’ farm system.
From New York’s perspective, it’s logical to expect the White Sox to want a trade package that includes some of the Yankees’ top prospects. All three prospects are still below Triple-A and years away from making a major-league impact, which would be acceptable in Chicago’s multi-year rebuild.
The idea of deploying Crochet in the bullpen in October is especially intriguing for New York, considering it is a tactic that could already be in the works for another elite pitcher. MLB reported early this season that starting pitcher Luis Gil might be shifted to the Yankees’ bullpen, as the 23-year-old had already surpassed his career high in innings pitched.
