Despite Garrett Crochet’s breakout performance as a starting pitcher, the Chicago White Sox are struggling significantly. With the worst record in the majors at 25-63 and trailing by 30 games in the AL Central, they are poised to miss the playoffs for a third consecutive year.
Given the team’s dire situation, The Athletic’s Chris Branch has proposed that the White Sox should consider trading the 25-year-old ace before the trade deadline on July 30 at 6 p.m. ET. Branch suggests that Crochet, having excelled in his first year as a starter on a struggling team, could be a central piece in a major trade that would bring valuable prospects for Chicago’s rebuild.
This season, Crochet leads the league in strikeouts (141), ranks third in WHIP (0.928), and is 13th in ERA (3.02). Contending teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, might be interested in acquiring him.
Garrett Crochet is one of one pic.twitter.com/Y0r9Qi02uZ
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 3, 2024
The Orioles (55-31) lead the American League and are second in baseball with a 3.37 ERA. However, enhancing their rotation depth could bolster their chances for a deep postseason run.
CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder suggested that the Orioles would be a strong candidate to acquire Crochet before the trade deadline. “The deal for [starting pitcher] Corbin Burnes ended up benefiting the Brewers but didn’t significantly impact the Orioles’ deep farm system,” Snyder noted. “A similar outcome could occur here, and the Orioles need rotation depth.”
Crochet is currently under a one-year, $800K contract and will be arbitration-eligible in 2025. Spotrac estimates the Orioles’ 2025 payroll at $27.7M, well below the luxury tax threshold of $241M, allowing them the flexibility to offer Crochet a multi-year deal.
FanGraphs Baseball ranks the Orioles’ farm system as the best in the league, which could be appealing to the White Sox. Trading Crochet to Baltimore might allow Chicago to rebuild with high-potential prospects.
