The White Sox Must Nail The Garrett Crochet Trade

The Chicago White Sox have a long rebuild ahead of them. General Manager Chris Getz and the front office’s focus is loading up Chicago’s farm system with prospects. The team has a valuable trade chip in unexpected breakout star Garrett Crochet. The reliever-turned-starter had a career year in 2024 and even was an all-star. Given that he has two years of team control remaining, his lengthy injury history, and his value at peak levels; Chicago needs to trade him now! However, Chris Getz needs to get this trade right because it could set the tone for the White Sox rebuild.

Garrett Crochet Was An Unexpected Breakout Star

The Chicago White Sox were the worst team in baseball not just in 2024 but all-time. They broke the 1962 New York Mets single-season record for losses in a season with 121. Given how the team finished at or near the bottom of the league in many major statistical categories, the South Siders have an argument for being the worst team ever to take the field. However, Garrett Crochet was unexpectedly a bright light in an otherwise dark tunnel.

After Dylan Cease was traded to the Padres during Spring Training, Garrett Crochet unexpectedly became Chicago’s Opening Day starter. Despite his inexperience, the reliever-turned-starter became one of this season’s unexpected stars. He made 32 starts in 2024 and finished with a record of 6-12, an ERA of 3.58, 209 strikeouts to just 33 walks, and gave up only 18 home runs. He was also even better than his statistics show as Crochet had a FIP of 2.69. Crochet’s performance also earned him his first all-star game appearance.

Crochet’s Foolish Trade Deadline Decision

Given his value reached its peak, the South Siders originally tried to trade Crochet at the deadline. However, despite having two years of control left, he foolishly killed his market by publicly revealing that he wouldn’t pitch in the postseason without a contract extension. This perhaps scared away potential suitors, and the breakout star remained on the White Sox. Instead of pitching on a contender, he played on a team that eventually lost 121 games. However, Chicago limited his innings to ensure that he remained healthy heading into the offseason.

Garrett Crochet Could Get The Sox A Bigger Return Than The Dylan Cease Trade

With the offseason starting to heat up, the White Sox have another opportunity to trade Garrett Crochet. While the Sox acquired three top prospects in the Dylan Cease trade, Garrett Crochet could net an even bigger return. Crotchet is just 25, has two years of team control left, and is coming off an all-star season. The Chicago White Sox shouldn’t have any problems finding potential suitors for Garrett Crochet. Teams like the Red Sox, Orioles, Phillies, and Mets all need starting pitching help. It should be noted that the Orioles and Red Sox currently have the third and seventh-ranked farm systems respectively. Regardless of who the Sox decide to trade Crochet to, they must get it right. Given how much teams overvalue team control these days and given that Crochet has two more years of it, the White Sox ought to take advantage of it.

Chicago Needs To Get It Right

The Chicago White Sox are still reeling from missing their contention window and bottomed out at 121 losses this past year. While Chicago currently has the 11th-best minor league system and four top 100 prospects, they still need more. They already failed to take advantage of the peak values of Michael Kopech, Erick Fedde, and Tommy Pham at the trade deadline. This can’t happen in any potential deal for Crochet. Failing to get a significant return for Garrett Crochet could be catastrophic for the franchise. It could set the franchise back even further and prolong their rebuild.  

This Trade Could Set The Tone For The Rebuild

Trading away Garret Crochet just might be the most important trade GM Chris Getz has to make this offseason. It is also one that he must get right. This is the kind of deal that could set the tone for the White Sox rebuild going forward. Teams are obsessed with control and Crochet currently has two years left. He’s also just 25 years old and is coming off a breakout 2024 season. This is something that Getz must use to his advantage. Failing to get a significant return for Crochet could set the franchise back even further and prolong their rebuild.

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