As the MLB offseason approaches, all eyes are on the Chicago White Sox and their young pitcher, Garrett Crochet. Rumors have been swirling around the league that the White Sox are planning to trade Crochet during the upcoming offseason, a move that has both excited and perplexed baseball analysts and fans alike.
A Rising Star on the Move?
Garrett Crochet, a 25-year-old pitcher with a promising future, has become a focal point of discussions after his breakout season in 2024. With two years left under team control, Crochet's name has surfaced prominently in trade talks. "They're going to trade him this winter. It's not a matter of if. It's a question of when," an anonymous rival evaluator was quoted saying at the GM Meetings, highlighting the near certainty of Crochet’s departure from Chicago.
Crochet’s season statistics are a testament to his burgeoning talent. In 2024, he pitched 146 innings, boasting an impressive 3.58 ERA. However, traditional stats only tell part of the story. Advanced metrics reveal a deeper appreciation of his skills, with a 2.69 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) and an expected ERA of 2.83. His deserved run average stood at 2.75, showcasing his effectiveness on the mound.
Striking Out the Competition
Perhaps one of the most striking aspects of Crochet’s performance is his exceptional strikeout capability. Leading all pitchers with at least 140 innings, he achieved an astonishing 35.1% strikeout rate. Crochet's command was further highlighted by a modest 5.5% walk rate, emphasizing his ability to dominate batters while maintaining control.
The 2024 season also saw Crochet expand his pitching repertoire by adding a cutter in the low 90s and introducing an upper-90s sinker late in the season. Opponents struggled against the sinker, batting just .154, a fact which underscores Crochet’s adaptability and growing arsenal. Over the course of the year, he threw 50 sinkers, with a notable 36 coming in his last three starts, signifying his confidence in utilizing it as a potent weapon.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite his emergent success, Crochet's time with the White Sox has not been without its challenges. A significant hurdle came when he was sidelined for the entire 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery, casting doubts on his future at the time. However, Crochet's return to form has silenced many skeptics, indicating his resilience and dedication.
Another layer of complexity has been added by Crochet's insistence on a contract extension as a condition to pitch in the postseason, a demand that has certainly weighed heavily on the team's management. His salary, modest by professional standards, was $800,000 in 2024, but it is projected to rise to $2.9 million in 2025. This financial shift adds urgency and intrigue to the offseason deliberations.
The White Sox's Strategic Conundrum
Crochet’s potential trade also underscores broader issues within the White Sox organization. Despite his individual successes, the team was statistically the worst defensive team in 2024. This defensive inadequacy undoubtedly placed additional pressure on the pitching staff, highlighting the potential benefits a trade might offer, not just in terms of bolstering their lineup, but in restructuring their strategic focus moving forward.
In addition, Crochet's performance metrics show he was more effective against right-handed batters compared to left-handed ones last season, a rare trait for a left-handed pitcher that enhances his value on the trade market. Whether the White Sox leverage this unique capability for a trade or decide on a different course of action, it will certainly be a key aspect of negotiations.
As the offseason draws near, the potential trade of Garrett Crochet is becoming one of the most talked-about storylines in the league. Many are keen to see how the White Sox will navigate these swirling dynamics, and what the future holds for this talented young pitcher. While the decision to move Crochet seems imminent, the reverberations of this move will likely be felt across the league, setting the stage for what promises to be a fascinating offseason of MLB trades and team restructuring.