“The Mets are positioning themselves strongly, and if they can continue on this path, it could pay off in the future.”
Mike Axisa of CBS Sports has a strong prediction for the New York Mets’ second half of the season. As the MLB trade deadline approaches, he suggests the Mets will make a major move by trading for Garrett Crochet. In this hypothetical trade, the Mets would send former top 100 prospect Brett Baty, recently ranked top 100 prospect Brandon Sproat, Kevin Parada, and others to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Crochet. The plan would see Crochet joining the Mets’ bullpen for the rest of 2024, with a possible return to the rotation in 2025.
Axisa has given this prediction considerable thought, but how feasible is it for the Mets to execute such a high-profile deal?
Can the White Sox get more for Garrett Crochet than this Mets trade offer?
Baty and Parada are among the more dispensable prospects in the Mets’ farm system. Baty has been overtaken by Mark Vientos as the team’s future third baseman, while Parada’s path to the majors has been blocked by Francisco Alvarez.
The only downside to this trade is losing Sproat. He’s been on track to win numerous Mets minor league awards this year, and many believe he’ll join the rotation by 2025.
This trade is palatable because the Mets are acquiring Crochet, who has already made it to the majors and achieved success. The hope is that Sproat will develop into a similar player. To get Crochet, the Mets need to part with something valuable, and Sproat, along with the position players and Christian Scott, is their best option.
Crochet won’t hit free agency until after the 2026 season, giving the Mets two and a half years of his services. He would provide an early boost to next year’s rotation without straining the payroll, leaving room for additional spending. Imagine Crochet and Corbin Burnes pitching back-to-back at Citi Field—it could feel like playoff intensity in May.
The concern is whether another team might offer more for Crochet. If this deal doesn’t include something significant beyond what’s been mentioned, it might seem underwhelming. Sproat is currently ranked 95th among prospects and is still developing, Baty has had issues in the majors, and Parada’s minor league performance hasn’t been impressive. A team with more and better prospects could easily outbid the Mets.
For the White Sox, it’s worth holding out for a much better offer. Crochet is a valuable trade piece who could help restock an entire farm system, not just add to one shelf.
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