Are the Cubs interested in Garrett Crochet? MLB insider hints at a possibility in the offseason Originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
After a disappointing first half of the season in which the Puppies Sitting in last place in the NL Central and off to a slow 2-4 start after the All-Star break, the North Side is looking to sell at the July 30 MLB trade deadline.
“As things stand right now, I would say the changes will only be made in 2024 unless things change over the next week or so; we probably won’t make a lot of changes that only help us for this year,” team president Jed Hoyer said Monday. “If the changes help us for 2025 and beyond, I think we’re exceptionally well positioned.”
With that, the Cubs appear to be open to doing business. Jameson Taillon will certainly be an interesting name to watch at the trade deadline. Other players who could be traded in the coming week remain to be seen.
But the sign to regroup at the MLB trade deadline points to a stronger offseason in terms of shopping for the North Side. Assuming they hope to keep the same core of talented players, the Cubs will undoubtedly need to address their pitching.
And MLB insider Ken Rosenthal noted Wednesday that the Cubs could be off-season suitors for white sock start Garrett Crochet.
“Right now, the teams with the most interest in Crochet are the contenders,” Rosenthal wrote“The list of suitors could expand in the offseason to include teams that are currently out of contention but plan to compete in 2025. The Chicago Cubs, for example. The Blue Jays. Maybe even the Nationals.”
Crochet’s name has been at the center of rumors as a trade candidate at the upcoming deadline. The White Sox plan to be major sellers. And Crochet is their most valuable asset, poised to generate a solid return. It’s no secret.
But Rosenthal reported that some industry figures expect the White Sox to be able to retain Crochet beyond the deadline, despite widespread speculation about his possible trade. Some believe there will be a larger field of suitors during the offseason for teams looking to compete next season. All of his current suitors are contenders.
FURTHER: MLB insider Ken Rosenthal says some expect the White Sox to keep Garrett Crochet this season
And if there’s one thing White Sox fans have learned from general manager Chris Getz’s management style, it’s that he wants to maximize the return on every available trade package. That’s why the decision to move starter Dylan Cease to the Padres lasted all of last offseason. The White Sox want to get the most in return for Crochet.
But it’s also reasonable that teams would want to see Crochet pitch a full season before closing a trade for him. Remember, this is Crochet’s first full season as a full-time starter. And as of the start of the 2024 season, the lefty was finishing up his rehab from Tommy John surgery he underwent in April 2022.
This season, Crochet has thrown 111.1 innings, more than double the most innings he has ever pitched in a single season in his career (54.1 in 2021). Before moving to starter, Crochet was predominantly a high-velocity, short-duration middle reliever. Now, he averages 5.2 innings per start.
But so far, Crochet has shown no signs of slowing down.
In fact, former White Sox player Frank Thomas said on NBC Sports Chicago’s “White Sox Postgame Live Show” that the 11 days of rest the White Sox gave him during the All-Star break messed up his rhythm. Thomas said Crochet is likely to be in rhythm on the five-day rest plan.
Crochet pitched just four innings Tuesday in a team effort to limit his workload. He struck out seven and allowed just two runs against the Rangers, but his control was visibly shaky over 74 pitches.
The White Sox informed him before the game that he would be on a limited pitch count. That’s part of the White Sox’s plan to manage Crochet’s workload for the remainder of the season.
“We have to be very careful with their workload and we have to manage it,” coach Pedro Grifol said before Tuesday’s game. “There is a plan that everyone will know after the game, but I see it as a glass half full.”
Still, the White Sox want to see Crochet get the workload he deserves and needs to gain confidence.
“I think it would benefit him a lot if he could get 30 or 32 starts,” Grifol said. “Whether he finishes the last start in one inning, I think it’s really good for him to go a full season and get 30 starts. That’s how we feel. But we’ll see how it goes. We’re more than open to making any type of adjustments we need to make during the season to make sure he’s healthy and finishes this year ready for next year.”
But could he end up preparing for the 2025 season with the North Side?
Crochet, 25, is a very valuable asset. He has a 3.07 ERA and .970 WHIP in 21 starts this season. His 157 strikeouts currently lead the MLB. And he also earned his first All-Star appearance this season.
The left-hander is expected to make $800,000 this season but is under club control for the next two seasons, making him an affordable asset for clubs looking to save on a starting pitcher this offseason. He won’t become a free agent until 2027.
There is interest in acquiring Crochet before this season’s deadline, but if he remains on the White Sox roster after July 30, the Cubs could get in on the action this offseason if they choose to pursue starting pitching.
