White Sox Set Sky-High Price for Garrett Crochet: What Teams Must Offer to Land the Young Fireballer
The Chicago White Sox are reportedly gearing up to move one of their most promising young pitchers this offseason—Garrett Crochet. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the White Sox are likely to trade the 25-year-old left-hander, but any team interested in his services will have to fork over a hefty package of prospects in return. While details are still emerging, here’s what we know so far about the potential trade and why teams should be prepared to pay a premium for Crochet.
The White Sox’s Demands: High-Value Prospects
The White Sox are not going to simply give Crochet away. In fact, they’re reportedly seeking a “significant” package of prospects, with a preference for a high-ceiling position player as the centerpiece of the deal. While they are open to including a pitcher in the trade, the White Sox’s preference is clear: they want a position player, ideally one with a bright future ahead of them.
This approach reflects the White Sox’s larger strategy to rebuild their roster with an eye toward the future, focusing on acquiring young, talented players who can help accelerate their contention window. The decision to prioritize position players likely stems from the team’s desire to bolster areas where they’ve struggled, particularly on offense, rather than stockpile more pitching talent.
Why the White Sox Are Willing to Move Crochet
Despite showing flashes of elite potential, Crochet has yet to fully establish himself as a top-of-the-rotation starter. However, his electric stuff—paired with his two remaining years of team control—makes him a highly desirable asset on the trade market. For any team willing to trade for him, the price tag is steep, but there are plenty of reasons to believe that Crochet is worth the investment.
1. Two More Years of Control
Crochet is not a rental. With two years of team control remaining, the team that acquires him will have ample time to develop him further and potentially negotiate a long-term contract. This extended window of control adds significant value to Crochet’s trade market price, as he’s essentially a cost-effective pitching asset for the foreseeable future.
2. High Strikeout Potential
In 2023, Crochet posted a strong season, striking out 209 batters in just 146 innings of work. That’s an impressive 12.9 strikeouts per 9 innings, which is well above average for a starting pitcher. Teams looking to add an impact arm with dominant stuff will see Crochet as an enticing option. His ability to miss bats, especially in high-leverage situations, makes him a valuable asset for teams with playoff aspirations.
3. Youth and Upside
At 25, Crochet is still young by MLB standards. That age gives him the potential to continue developing into a top-tier pitcher for years to come. In a market where free-agent pitchers are often older and coming off injury or inconsistent seasons, Crochet offers a rare combination of age, potential, and affordability. For teams looking to build long-term, a move for Crochet could be the kind of investment that pays off for several seasons.
The Likely Suitors: Big-Market Teams Could Be Key Players
Given Crochet’s skill set and team control, big-market clubs are already making noise about the possibility of acquiring him. One such team, already linked to Crochet in trade rumors, is the New York Yankees. With their deep pockets and need for pitching help, the Yankees could emerge as a strong contender in trade talks for Crochet, especially considering their ongoing quest to add more high-quality arms to their rotation.
Other potential suitors could include teams like the Boston Red Sox, who are in need of a boost to their pitching staff, or even the Los Angeles Dodgers, always on the lookout for young, controllable talent to complement their championship-caliber roster. Given the scarcity of top-tier pitchers on the market this winter, teams like these will be active in trade talks for a young, high-upside arm like Crochet.
What’s the Bottom Line?
The White Sox are in full-on rebuild mode, and moving Garrett Crochet could be a smart way to stockpile talent for the future. However, they’re not going to make a deal unless they get top-tier value in return. For teams interested in acquiring Crochet, be prepared to part with a significant package of prospects—particularly a high-ceiling position player—if you want to land this dynamic young pitcher.
It’s going to take a lot to pry Crochet away from the White Sox, but with two years of team control and a growing reputation as a strikeout machine, it’s easy to see why he’s one of the most sought-after young arms this offseason. Stay tuned as more teams emerge in the trade market, and the asking price becomes clearer in the coming weeks.
