Trade rumors have resurfaced this offseason about one of the Philadelphia Phillies’ top targets at last season’s trade deadline: Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet. The White Sox are reportedly seeking for a trade deal similar to or better than what they received for Dylan Cease, with a focus on position players to help increase their offensive in the coming years.
So, if the Phillies pursue Crochet again, who would they have to give up in a possible deal for the great 25-year-old left-hander? Here, we will take a look at three prospects who may see themselves as part of the package moving the opposite way.
Phillies’ top competition for Garrett Crochet trade is the Dodgers, the worst team possible
The Phillies were one of several MLB teams that attempted to acquire Crochet during this year’s trade deadline. The White Sox found themselves in the seller’s position in July, with the team already on track to shatter the 1962 New York Mets record for most losses in a season, which they did in September.
While the White Sox made a few trades at the deadline, including sending left-handed reliever Tanner Banks to the Phillies in exchange for minor league infielder William Bergolla, the team ultimately kept Crochet and has been listening to offers on the young and controllable southpaw since MLB business reopened last week.
While the Phillies continue to be interested in Crochet, they are not alone, as a number of contenders are reportedly in trade talks with the White Sox. According to a recent report by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the White Sox hope to have a deal in place by the end of the Winter Meetings next month, and the Phillies will face some stiff competition in their pursuit of Crochet.
“No already-employed player was sought after more at these GM meetings than Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet,” said to Nightengale. “Who struck out 209 batters in 146 innings while making only $800,000 last season. The White Sox have openly informed teams that he is available and expect to move him by the end of the winter meetings, with the Philadelphia Phillies and Dodgers being the most active.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ interest in Crochet is bad news for the Phillies, who are seriously considering a deal with the White Sox this December. With practically unlimited resources and a roster of MVP-level talent such as Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, the Dodgers will not hesitate to make a trade with the White Sox if the asking price is a package of LA’s top prospects.
White Sox general manager Chris Getz will not simply move Crochet and his two years of team control for a product that does not suit the needs of a rebuilding baseball team. According to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times, Getz and the White Sox are looking for players to fill a specific need this winter.
“We are focusing on position-player return,” Getz told Van Schouwen. “That is our main objective in all trade negotiations. “We need to improve our offense.”
The Phillies have exactly what the White Sox are seeking for, especially if the team makes young position players Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, and Brandon Marsh available for trade this offseason. The asking price will very definitely include top prospects Justin Crawford, Aidan Miller, and Staryln Caba, all of whom are presently ranked in the top five as the Phillies’ greatest prospects by MLB Pipeline.
While the Phillies are allegedly considering trading Bohm or Marsh this winter, a transaction like this will undoubtedly place a greater emphasis on the White Sox obtaining Phillies prospects who are near to MLB readiness. The Phillies are more than capable of reaching the White Sox’s asking price for Crochet, but the Dodgers have proven that they would outbid other clubs for the players they desire.
Will the Phillies offer enough to persuade the White Sox to trade Crochet? Or will the Dodgers add to their embarrassment of riches this offseason with another surprise move? Mark December 9-12 on your calendar as the start of the Winter Meetings next month. Some serious business is about to go down.
