Garrett Crochet rumors

MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding Garrett Crochet. The 2024 MLB Trade Deadline is July 30 at 6 p.m. ET.

July 26: Crochet’s chances of being dealt may be dwindling
For contending clubs, the calculus around acquiring Crochet at the Trade Deadline appears to have become a bit more difficult.

The White Sox left-hander is said to desire a long-term contract extension before agreeing to pitch in the postseason, according to a report Thursday from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. Crochet has already thrown 111 1/3 innings, more than he did in three combined seasons as a reliever, and there are questions about his workload as Tuesday’s Trade Deadline nears.

The Athletic (subscription required) reported that Crochet believes maintaining a starter’s workload is best for his long-term health and that he is not interested in moving into a hybrid or relief role without the guarantee of an extension. If so, it could certainly affect the trade value of Crochet, the American League strikeouts leader with 157.

Following up on Friday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan (subscription required) reported that Crochet’s stance stunned general managers around the game who were previously interested in trading for the lefty. As a result, his chances of being traded before the Deadline have taken “a substantial hit.”

Crochet’s Opening Day start for the White Sox this season was his first start in professional baseball after 84 relief appearances between the Majors and Minors. The lefty has made 21 starts for Chicago, pitching more than six innings just three times. He underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2022, missing the entire season as well as a chunk of the 2023 campaign.

His 3.07 ERA and swing-and-miss stuff have made Crochet a top commodity at the Trade Deadline, with a long list of teams — including the Orioles, Dodgers, Padres, Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, Cardinals, Phillies and Braves, according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden — talking to the White Sox about him. But Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic previously reported that the White Sox could wait until the offseason to trade Crochet, and the uncertainty surrounding a potential extension agreement might make that even more likely.

July 24: Will White Sox wait until offseason to trade Crochet?
Crochet has been linked to just about any team in need of starting pitching, but perhaps the July 30 Deadline will come and go with him still firing fastballs on Chicago’s South Side.

As Ken Rosenthal wrote for The Athletic (subscription required), “some in the industry” expect the White Sox to hold the coveted left-hander until the winter, “believing that an even greater number of buyers will emerge in the offseason and that his value is greater in his additional two years of club control than in 2024.”

The Orioles, Phillies, Yankees and Dodgers are just some of the contenders reportedly interested in Crochet. But if the White Sox hold off on trading him this year, they could hear from other teams who are looking to be more competitive in 2025. Rosenthal lists the Cubs, Blue Jays and possibly the Nationals among that group.

Plus, with Crochet already having thrown 111 1/3 innings — more than double his career-high for a single season as a professional — he may not be able to contribute consistently as a starter over the final two months of this season. Conversely, if he finishes this year strong and proves that he can handle possibly 150 innings or more, that would theoretically enhance his value heading into 2025.

Of course, the White Sox have some experience with holding onto an ace with multiple years of club control at the Deadline before striking a deal in the offseason. They did the same thing with Dylan Cease last year. He was a popular name at last year’s Deadline, but the White Sox kept him around until this March, when they sent him to San Diego for three of the Padres’ top 10 prospects and relief pitcher Steven Wilson.

July 23: Phillies have reportedly discussed acquiring Crochet
The Phillies’ starting rotation leads MLB with 12.2 fWAR. It contains three 2024 All-Stars — Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suárez and Cristopher Sánchez — as well as reliable innings-eater Aaron Nola. Taijuan Walker could be only a couple of weeks away from rejoining this group.

At first glance, starting pitching doesn’t seem like an area of need for the Phils. But according to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, Crochet is among the pitchers they have discussed trading for ahead of the July 30 Deadline. Morosi mentions Tigers starter Jack Flaherty as another option for the Phillies.

Philadelphia’s interest in starting pitching may stem from the recent presence of a couple of cracks in their rotation. Wheeler skipped his last start before the All-Star break due to back tightness. He is slated to start Tuesday’s game against the Twins, but Crochet could give the Phils some peace of mind if Wheeler or another starter goes down with an injury.

Meanwhile, Suárez has pitched to a 7.71 ERA over his past four starts following a tremendous beginning to the season and also dealt with some back issues recently. Sánchez has thrown 109 innings, surpassing his career high. Prior to this season, he had never topped 100 frames in any of his 10 seasons as a pro, so the Phillies may want to pull back on his workload down the stretch.

However, Crochet comes with the same workload concerns. He too has exceeded his career high in innings as he’s tallied 107 1/3 frames in his first season as a starter.

But he has been dominant throughout the year. Crochet’s 150 strikeouts are the second-most in MLB, and his strikeout-minus-walk rate (29.8%) is the best in baseball. That success might ultimately lead to him playing for the team with the best record in baseball.

July 21: Dodgers may have big plans at Trade Deadline
Although they’re due to get back a number of key players from injury in the coming weeks, including Mookie Betts, Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers are expected to be an aggressive Trade Deadline buyer this year.

On Saturday, ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez (subscription required) mentioned a handful of starters who could be available to the Dodgers ahead of the July 30 Deadline — Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Erick Fedde, Zach Eflin, Yusei Kikuchi — but he wrote that White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet “is considered to be at the top of the Dodgers’ list, regardless of whether he’s a starter or a reliever the rest of the way.”

Crochet has been one of the very best starters in MLB this season, recording a 3.02 ERA with 150 strikeouts over 107 1/3 innings. But his workload will likely be monitored closely the rest of the way. That’s because he has already thrown more innings this season than in his previous four seasons as a pro combined (85 1/3). Crochet tossed just 25 innings between the Majors and Minors last year — all in relief — as he made his way back from Tommy John surgery.

If the Dodgers want to rein in Crochet’s innings tally, they could put him at the back of their bullpen. Although Los Angeles’ 3.38 relief ERA is the fourth-best in baseball, it could have a need developing at closer as Evan Phillips has surrendered at least one earned run in four of his past six appearances.