White Sox Poised for Garrett Crochet Trade Amid Offseason Moves
The Chicago White Sox appear poised for a significant shake-up in their pitching rotation as they enter the offseason with plans to trade promising left-hander Garrett Crochet. According to a rival evaluator at the recent GM Meetings, "They're going to trade him this winter. It's not a matter of if. It's a question of when." This move suggests that the White Sox are looking to realign their roster in pursuit of future success.
Crochet's Performance and Potential
Garrett Crochet, at 25 years old, has become an integral part of the White Sox's rotation. Despite missing the entire 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery, Crochet bounced back in 2024 with impressive numbers. Over 146 innings pitched, he maintained a 3.58 ERA. Advanced metrics painted an even brighter picture of his performance, with a Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) of 2.69 and an expected ERA of 2.83. Moreover, his deserved run average was pegged at 2.75, suggesting that Crochet's contributions were indeed substantial.
Crochet's 35.1% strikeout rate led all pitchers who pitched at least 140 innings in the 2024 season, underlining his dominance on the mound. His ability to limit walks, reflected in a walk rate of 5.5%, further testified to his control and precision. Notably, Crochet demonstrated an ability to handle right-handed batters with greater efficacy than left-handers, a rare trait for a southpaw pitcher.
Pitching Arsenal and Adjustments
Throughout the 2024 season, Crochet expanded his pitching repertoire, introducing a cutter in the low 90s and unveiling an explosive upper-90s sinker later in the year. This sinker was particularly effective, as opponents struggled, batting a mere .154 against it. The left-hander deployed the sinker judiciously, with 36 of his total 50 sinkers coming in his final three starts, a testament to its strategic deployment and Crochet's evolving game strategy.
Contract Negotiations and Implications
The decision to trade Crochet is complicated by his contract situation. Entering the offseason, Crochet demanded a contract extension as a condition to pitch in the postseason. His 2024 salary was $800,000 but is projected to rise to $2.9 million in 2025, a significant increase that the White Sox front office must weigh against roster needs and payroll flexibility.
With two years left under team control, the White Sox find themselves at a crossroads. Trading Crochet could alleviate payroll concerns while potentially bringing back assets that address other team shortcomings, particularly in defense. The White Sox were statistically the worst defensive team in 2024, an area that requires urgent attention if the franchise intends to compete at higher levels.
Strategic Adjustments Needed
Crochet’s contributions were a cornerstone in a season where Chicago struggled defensively. His emphasis on strikeouts helped mitigate some of these limitations, but an improvement in field performance is crucial for the White Sox moving forward. Any incoming resources from trading Crochet could enhance their ability to promptly address these shortcomings.
The imminent trade of Garrett Crochet epitomizes the challenges and opportunities facing the White Sox during this offseason. His proven track record as a reliable rotation arm must be balanced with the broader organizational objectives of building a competitive and balanced team.
As the baseball winter meetings draw near, Chicago's front office will need to assess their strategic priorities and determine how best to leverage Crochet's value in building a more cohesive, contender-level team. If history serves as any guide, offseason moves such as these have a long-term impact on team dynamics, both for the organization and the player involved.