Garrett Crochet Was In The Wrong

Garrett Crotchet has been a bright light on an otherwise dismal White Sox team. He was converted into a starter after Dylan Cease was traded to the Padres. Before being a starter, Crotchet had spent the first few years of his big-league career as a reliever. Despite being a first-time starter, Crotchet made the all-star team. Chicago was looking to trade him at the deadline, however, the 25-year-old said that he wouldn’t pitch in the postseason unless he got an extension. His market effectively dried up and the Sox ace was not traded. Garrett Crotchet was wrong to think he had the leverage to make this kind of demand.

Garrett Crotchet Became An Unexpected Star This Season

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Before the season began, the Chicago White Sox traded presumed ace Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres. They converted the then-reliever Garrett Crotchet into a starter and had him pitch on Opening Day. Despite the White Sox being a disaster, Crotchet has put together a nice season. He’s 6-8 with an ERA of 3.23, 160 strikeouts, and a 1.003 WHIP. He also has a FIP of 2.42. Crotchet also currently leads the league in strikeouts and FIP. He was also selected as an all-star for the first time in his career.

Crotchet’s Crazy Demand Dried Up His Market

It’s been obvious all season that the White Sox were going to be sellers at the deadline. Crotchet was one of the players they were looking to trade away. However, despite the heavy interest, Crotchet made a foolish demand. Despite being two years away from free agency, Crotchet said that he wouldn’t pitch in the postseason unless he received a contract extension. This effectively made a lot of teams back out of trade negotiations and Crotchet wasn’t traded.

Lengthy Injury History

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The Chicago White Sox ace was very stupid to think he had that amount of leverage. This season is the first year he’s been fully healthy. The Sox star dealt with arm and shoulder problems before this season. He even missed the entire 2022 season due to having Tommy John surgery. Given his history of durability problems, Crotchet should have known better to ask for an extension after his first healthy season.

Before This Season Only White Sox Fans Knew Him

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Before this season, nobody had heard of Garrett Crotchet unless you were a White Sox fan. Crotchet was originally a high-leverage reliever. The 25-year-old was nothing special during that time. Garrett seems to think that he’s a once-in-a-generation talent that scouts and general managers will salivate over to bring into their organization. Teams can find many pitchers who are just as good if not better than Garrett Crotchet.

Is He The Real Thing Or Just A One Year Wonder?

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This is the first season that he’s a starting pitcher. While he’s had a lot of success this season, it remains to be seen if Crotchet is the real deal or just a one-season wonder. Crotchet has two years of team control remaining, no team is going to extend a starter on just one year of success. The only pitcher who might be able to command something like this is possibly Paul Skenes.

Crotchet Has Surpassed His Career High For Innings Pitched

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While Garrett Crotchet claims he’s trying to protect himself; teams are already concerned about how he’ll hold up after pitching over 100 innings for the first time. Before this season, the most innings that the lefty had ever pitched in his career was 54.1. Given that he’s more than doubled his career-high in innings pitched, Crotchet should know that teams are going to hesitate to extend him. The fact that this is Crotchet’s first time doing it makes them more reluctant than hesitant. Once again, the 25-year-old’s thinking is very naïve.

He Might’ve Hurt His Future Value

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Garrett Crotchet is foolish to be demanding an extension before being traded. This is his first season where he’s had a healthy season. He was converted into a starter for the first time this season and while he’s had success, it remains to be seen whether it’s real or just a one-year wonder. Most fans didn’t know him before this season and Crotchet thinking he’s now a household name is just idiotic. Crotchet was wrong to make a contract extension demand at the trade deadline and he potentially hurt his future value.

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