With Blake Snell no longer available, the demand for Crochet has significantly increased.
The Los Angeles Dodgers made the first big move of the 2024 MLB offseason by signing two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million deal on Tuesday night. As is typical for the Dodgers, the contract includes deferred payments to ease the financial impact.
This signing is a bold statement from the reigning World Series champions, addressing a key need by adding an All-Star to an already stacked roster. It also puts pressure on other teams, particularly those in the National League, whose options for upgrading their rotations just became more limited. Any team with championship aspirations in 2025 now knows they’ll likely have to go through the Dodgers.
The Philadelphia Phillies are among those most affected by the move. Earlier this week, reports surfaced that Dave Dombrowski had initiated trade talks with the Chicago White Sox for All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet. With limited payroll flexibility, trading for Crochet—a player with significant upside—could be the Phillies’ best chance for a major upgrade this offseason.
However, the Dodgers’ acquisition of Snell complicates matters. With fewer left-handed pitchers available on the market, competition for Crochet will likely intensify. To keep pace with Los Angeles, Dombrowski may need to sweeten the deal to meet White Sox GM Chris Getz’s demands—and this trade proposal could be the starting point.
Phillies need to make White Sox an offer they can’t refuse for Garrett Crochet
Philadelphia Phillies Acquire LHP Garrett Crochet
Chicago White Sox Receive:
- 3B Alec Bohm
- OF Justin Crawford
- SS Starlyn Caba
- RHP Taijuan Walker
The White Sox have been transparent about prioritizing position-player talent in exchange for Garrett Crochet. The Phillies initially pitched a package headlined by third baseman Alec Bohm and top outfield prospect Justin Crawford. Bohm’s inconsistent performance in the second half of the season and his limited team control (two years remaining) have prompted the Phillies to explore upgrades at third base. However, Bohm’s middling value and lack of alignment with Chicago’s rebuilding timeline have given the White Sox pause, suggesting he alone won’t be the key to sealing the deal.
To entice Chicago, Philadelphia would need to enhance the offer. This proposal includes young shortstop Starlyn Caba, a standout from the Phillies’ 2023 international free agent class and arguably their top position-player prospect. Known for his elite defense and a promising switch-hitting approach, Caba’s loss would be a tough pill for the Phillies to swallow. However, at just 18 years old and struggling offensively in the low minors (.228/.385/.284 across two levels in 2024), he’s a player Chicago could gamble on for long-term development, aligning with their contention timeline in three to four years.
Additionally, the White Sox could leverage their financial flexibility to absorb Taijuan Walker’s burdensome contract, further incentivizing the Phillies to part with more young talent.
While trading away key prospects and farm system depth is costly, the Phillies are in a win-now mode. With Bryce Harper and Trea Turner in their primes and Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler still effective, Philadelphia’s competitive window demands bold moves. Missing out on Crochet, especially with other teams like the Red Sox showing interest, could jeopardize their immediate ambitions. The time to act is now, even if the price stings.
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