White Sox Set to Move Garrett Crochet in Offseason Shake-up
The Chicago White Sox are preparing to part ways with one of their standout pitchers, Garrett Crochet, during the coming offseason. This strategic move aims to address team dynamics after a challenging 2024. According to a rival evaluator at the GM Meetings, "They're going to trade him this winter. It's not a matter of if. It's a question of when."
Pitching Star with Impressive Stats
Regarded as a rising star within the White Sox's rotation, Garrett Crochet has consistently demonstrated his prowess on the mound. At 25, with two years of team control remaining, Crochet posted a solid performance over the past season. Pitching 146 innings, he maintained an ERA of 3.58. More impressive were his advanced metrics, which included a Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) of 2.69 and an expected ERA of 2.83, suggesting he performed even better than traditional statistics indicate.
Crochet also displayed a remarkable strikeout ability, leading pitchers with at least 140 innings with a 35.1% strikeout rate. Simultaneously, he kept a tight grip on his control, registering a 5.5% walk rate—indicative of his well-honed skills at a relatively young age.
New Arsenal and Tactical Developments
During 2024, Crochet diversified his pitching arsenal by adding a cutter, clocking in the low 90s, and an upper-90s sinker late in the season. His sinker proved highly effective against opponents, evidenced by their paltry .154 batting average against it. Although Crochet threw only 50 sinkers in total, 36 came in his last three starts, marking a decisive tactical shift in his approach on the mound.
Interestingly, despite his southpaw origins, Crochet was extraordinarily effective against right-handed batters, a vital asset in a league filled with right-handed power hitters.
Contract Standoff and Impending Trade
The friction between Crochet and the White Sox management emerged when he demanded a contract extension as a prerequisite to participating in the postseason. This bold move punctuated the brewing tension as the White Sox confronted their off-field issues. Crochet, who missed the entire 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery, earned $800,000 in 2024, with his salary projected to rise to $2.9 million in the upcoming year.
While the White Sox had a challenging year, statistically performing as the worst defensive team in the league in 2024, team dynamics seemed further strained by Crochet's stance on his contract. His impending trade now appears as a tactical decision to manage both the team's roster and its internal morale.
Future Potential and Changing Attitudes
The potential for Crochet's future performances remains high, making him an attractive prospect on the trade market. His blend of power pitching, tactical innovation, and control suggests he could be a pivotal figure for another organization looking to bolster its rotation. Nevertheless, the shift signifies a broader attempt by the White Sox to revamp their strategies while addressing pressing organizational challenges.
The offseason will undoubtedly bring considerable changes for the White Sox. Trading Garrett Crochet is not just a decision concerning one player; it reflects wider issues within the team's present configuration and the urgency for a redefined atmosphere in the clubhouse.
As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on the White Sox's next moves, and the market's response to Crochet's availability. For Crochet, meanwhile, the upcoming season promises a new chapter, where his skills and potential will again be put to the test—only this time, perhaps, in different colors.