Last winter, the Los Angeles Dodgers committed over $1 billion to future payroll obligations, including several additions to their starting rotation. Despite this, they have still resorted to bullpen games at times in October. Looking ahead to this offseason, could they aim to bolster their starting rotation by pursuing Chicago White Sox ace?
Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report identified one player from each MLB team who he believes is most likely to be traded this winter. For the White Sox, he selected Crochet, listing the Dodgers as one of three possible landing spots.
“Crochet is a highly valuable asset—he’s an All-Star, only 25 years old, and under team control through 2026,” Rymer noted. “With the White Sox coming off a 121-loss season, they’re in greater need of prospects than an ace pitcher.”
Crochet wasn’t traded at the deadline in July because he threatened to sit out the postseason if he didn’t receive a contract extension with his new team. From 2020 to 2023, the left-hander pitched just 73 innings, including missing the entire 2022 season due to injury. He ended 2024 with a career-high 146 innings pitched and earned $800,000.
A Closer Look at Garrett Crochet’s Contract Situation
Beyond Garrett Crochet’s recent performance and age (he turns 26 in June), he’s become an appealing trade target due to his contract status. He’s projected to earn $2.9 million in arbitration for 2025, which is a significant increase from his 2024 salary but still a great deal given his production this past season.
Additionally, Crochet has two more years of arbitration left, with team control until the end of 2026. This gives the White Sox leverage to demand a high return for him in trade discussions this offseason, similar to how they handled Dylan Cease before dealing him to the Padres.
Teams interested in acquiring Crochet should also consider the potential for a long-term deal, especially if they’re giving up multiple prospects. Spotrac estimates his market value at six years, $130 million.
Garrett Crochet Would Be a Huge Addition to the Dodgers
The Dodgers will have several pitchers returning for their 2025 rotation, though many will be coming off injuries. Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw all ended 2024 on the injured list. Shohei Ohtani is expected to be ready to pitch after undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2023. Dustin May had flexor tendon surgery in July, while Gavin Stone had shoulder surgery in October.
Adding someone like Garrett Crochet would be a significant boost for a couple of reasons. While Crochet prefers starting, he has experience in both the rotation and bullpen. His first full season as a starter in 2024 went quite well, despite coming into the year with only 12.2 major league innings from 2022-23.
The lefty pitched 146 innings across 32 starts, finishing with a 6-12 record, a 3.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 209 strikeouts. Though his performance dipped after the All-Star break, with a 5.12 ERA, he was strong in the first half with a 3.02 ERA. Despite a rough July (4.85 ERA) and August (6.91 ERA), Crochet rebounded in September, posting a 3.12 ERA over his final 17.1 innings.
Be the first to comment