Several elite starting pitchers are available in free agency this offseason. However, Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet is easily the most intriguing hurler available on the trade market. Will he find a new home before the 2025 regular season gets underway?
Crochet debuted with the White Sox in 2020 but hadn’t thrown more than 54 1/3 innings during a big-league campaign heading into 2024. His first season as a full-time starter yielded excellent results. It included a 6-12 record with a 3.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 209 strikeouts in 146 innings pitched. He was also named an All-Star for the first time in his career.
While Spotrac projects his current market value for a multi-year deal at $130 million, he’s still under team control via arbitration through 2026. His estimated salary for 2025 is just $2.9 million, making him an absolute steal for any team that acquires him.
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The Baltimore Orioles have a huge hole at the top of their rotation with Corbin Burnes becoming a free agent. While a reunion isn’t out of the question, the right-hander is the top starting pitcher available on the open market. It’d be a good idea for Baltimore to have contingency plans in place if Burnes signs elsewhere.
Could Crochet be a legitimate target? FanSided’s Michael Brakebill shared one trade proposal for each American League East team. Here’s what he came up with for Baltimore:
– Orioles receive: starting pitcher Garrett Crochet
– White Sox receive: infielder Coby Mayo, catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo and outfielder Dylan Beavers
“Given that White Sox wants position players in return for Crochet, Baltimore should go for it here and not look back,” he said. “Coby Mayo is the No. 8 prospect in baseball and No. 1 on the Orioles’ prospect list. Samuel Basallo, No. 13 in baseball and No. 2 with Baltimore, headlines this massive blockbuster package.”
It will be interesting to see how Crochet’s trade market forms. One would imagine things won’t heat up significantly until top hurlers like Burnes, Max Fried and Blake Snell come off the board in free agency.
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