The Chicago White Sox are reportedly gearing up for a significant offseason move, with plans to trade talented lefthanded pitcher Garrett Crochet. A product of Tennessee and a pivotal figure in the White Sox rotation, the 25-year-old Crochet is now at the crossroads of his burgeoning career. With two more years remaining under team control, his departure seems less a matter of possibility and more an issue of timing. As one rival evaluator succinctly put it at the GM Meetings, "They're going to trade him this winter. It's not a matter of if. It's a question of when."
Crochet has made significant strides in the 2024 season, displaying impressive improvements and adaptations on the mound. Throughout the season, he pitched 146 innings and boasted a solid 3.58 ERA. Beyond traditional metrics, advanced statistics paint an even more favorable picture, with a Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) of 2.69, an expected ERA of 2.83, and a deserved run average of 2.75. These numbers underscore his potential value to any rotation he might soon call home.
Much of Crochet's success can be attributed to his diversified pitching repertoire. He added a cutter clocking in the low 90s, enhancing his already formidable pitch selection. Furthermore, late in the 2024 season, he introduced an upper-90s sinker that has proven to be highly effective, holding opponents to a mere .154 batting average against it. Though Crochet only threw 50 of these sinkers, 36 were in his final three starts of the season, making his late-season performance particularly noteworthy.
Striking out 35.1% of batters he faced—a rate unmatched by any pitcher who logged at least 140 innings—Crochet demonstrated a dominance on the mound enhanced by a manageable 5.5% walk rate. This sharp control, coupled with his refined arsenal, has rendered him more formidable against right-handed batters than left-handed ones, showcasing his adaptability and skill.
Despite Crochet's individual prowess, the White Sox as a team have struggled, particularly in terms of defense. Statistically the worst defensive team in 2024, the Sox's liabilities in the field may have inadvertently heightened Crochet’s attractiveness as a trade asset, especially for teams with stronger defensive infields that could help maximize his groundball-inducing abilities.
The decision to consider trading Crochet might not only stem from on-field considerations but contractual discussions as well. The pitcher had demanded a contract extension as a condition to pitch in the postseason, signaling his desire for a more secure long-term future. Financially, his salary is projected to rise markedly from $800,000 in 2024 to $2.9 million in 2025, a potential consideration for a team looking to allocate resources efficiently.
Crochet's trajectory has not been without its obstacles. He missed the entire 2022 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, but his robust return underscores both his resilience and potential as a young ace. This narrative of comeback and growth might be an enticing prospect for teams seeking a playoff-caliber arm to bolster their rotation.
As the offseason unfolds, the story of Garrett Crochet and the White Sox will be one to monitor closely. The makings of a blockbuster trade are clear, and the decision will certainly ripple throughout the league. Crochet's demonstrated skill set and adaptability continue to capture the attention of those within the baseball fraternity, and a move this winter could very well shape the future of multiple franchises.