President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller of the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller is undoubtedly gearing up for the upcoming MLB trade deadline. With the Padres just outside the playoff picture heading into the All-Star break, the team is expected to be active buyers as the deadline approaches.
One of the biggest targets on Preller’s radar is reportedly Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet. The left-hander, the White Sox’s lone All-Star this season, boasts a 3.02 ERA and an impressive 35.2% strikeout rate heading into the second half of the season.
However, the Padres are not alone in their pursuit of Crochet. Unfortunately for Padres fans, one of the primary competitors is none other than the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team within the same division.
White Sox-Padres Trade for Garrett Crochet Could Be Thwarted by LA Dodgers
According to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the Dodgers have shown heavy interest in acquiring Crochet, as well as White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. The report indicates that LA may be trying to put together a prospect-laden package for both players, and possibly even Michael Kopech.
Injuries have plagued both the Padres and the Dodgers this season. While the Padres have had their fair share of setbacks, the Dodgers have also lost several key starters to the injured list. Though Clayton Kershaw is making his way back from injury, the Dodgers are still without Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Brusdar Graterol, Michael Grove, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Dustin May. Given these circumstances, it’s clear why LA is looking to bolster their rotation.
While it’s not surprising that the Dodgers, with their seemingly endless resources, are targeting Crochet at the deadline, it’s certainly a blow to the Padres’ hopes. As the trade deadline draws nearer, other teams such as the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles may also enter the fray, adding to the competition for Crochet’s services.
For Padres fans, the race for Garrett Crochet will be one to watch closely, as Preller and the front office navigate a challenging trade landscape in their bid to strengthen the roster for a postseason push.
