White Sox's Offseason Plans: Trading Garrett Crochet
The Chicago White Sox are reportedly preparing to make a significant move in the upcoming MLB offseason. The club is considering trading one of its standout pitchers, Garrett Crochet, as it seeks to redefine its roster after a disappointing 2024 campaign. While rumors often swirl during this time of year, one rival evaluator at the General Managers Meetings confirmed, "They're going to trade him this winter. It's not a matter of if. It's a question of when."
Garrett Crochet: A Rising Star
Garrett Crochet, age 25, has been a notable figure in the White Sox's rotation. His performance during the 2024 season has demonstrated why he is an asset coveted by many teams. In 146 innings pitched, Crochet maintained an impressive 3.58 ERA. However, his advanced metrics 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, Crochet has exceeded expectations in virtually every measure.
Particularly striking is his dominance in terms of strikeouts. Leading all pitchers with a minimum of 140 innings, Crochet achieved a remarkable 35.1% strikeout rate, paired with a modest 5.5% walk rate. These statistics underline his growing prowess on the mound.
The Evolving Arsenal
Contributing to Crochet's success has been his willingness to evolve and refine his pitching style. Over the 2024 season, he added a cutter in the low 90s to his arsenal and introduced an upper-90s sinker late in the season. The sinker, in particular, emerged as a formidable weapon, holding opponents to a batting average of just .154. He showcased his prowess with this pitch in high-pressure situations, utilizing it prominently—36 of his 50 total sinkers—within his last three starts.
Challenges and Conditions
Despite his promising trajectory, Crochet's future with the White Sox is uncertain. Complications arose when Crochet demanded a contract extension as a condition to pitch in the postseason. Such a significant stipulation has undoubtedly fueled the team's decision to entertain trade options more seriously.
Part of Crochet's reasoning could also be financial. In 2024, he earned $800,000, with projections suggesting his salary could rise to $2.9 million in 2025. While this increase reflects his on-field value, it also places additional pressure on a White Sox organization that is looking to manage its budget carefully.
White Sox's Defensive Struggles
The decision also comes amidst broader challenges facing the White Sox. The team was statistically the worst defensive unit in 2024, a factor that has likely impacted both team performance and individual player assessments. While Crochet has been more effective against right-handed batters than left-handed batters, his potential contributions are sometimes overshadowed by the team's inadequate defense.
Crochet's Journey and Future
Crochet's journey with the White Sox has been both promising and tumultuous. Having missed the entire 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery, his return and subsequent accomplishments are commendable. Yet, baseball remains a business driven by strategies that often prioritize the long-term vision over individual achievements.
As the White Sox contemplate the offseason ahead, Crochet's potential departure raises numerous questions about the team's strategy moving forward. The discussions will inevitably revolve around how the trade could reshape their roster for greater success in future seasons.
For Crochet, the trade could present an opportunity to further develop his career with a team that fully aligns with his individual goals and contractual aspirations. For now, all eyes remain on Chicago and their next moves as the MLB offseason unfolds.