As the 2024 MLB season progresses, the San Diego Padres have reportedly set their sights on a valuable young asset from the Chicago White Sox: left-handed starting pitcher Garrett Crochet. While talks are still in the early stages, a potential trade could significantly impact both team’s futures.
Why Garrett Crochet?
Garrett Crochet has quickly ascended as one of the most promising talents on the White Sox roster. Despite his youth and a significant setback due to Tommy John surgery in April 2022, Crochet’s performance has been stellar upon joining the starting rotation this season.
In 13 starts this year, he’s logged 69.2 innings, boasting a 3.49 ERA with impressive strikeout (33.7%) and walk (5.4%) rates. Despite a few minor hiccups, Crochet has put together a dominant season that places him near the top of the league in strikeouts through his first 13 big-league starts.
The Padres’ Interest
Padres’ president of baseball operations A.J. Preler’s aggressiveness in pursuing top talents is well-documented, making their interest in Crochet not entirely surprising. With recent injuries to Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish, the Padres need to bolster their starting rotation to maintain their position in the National League playoff picture. Garrett Crochet represents a high-upside addition who could make a significant impact and comes with two years of club control beyond this season.
Possible trade Complications
Despite the mutual interest, several factors complicate the negotiations. Garrett Crochet’s unique combination of youth, control, and affordable salary makes him a valuable but challenging acquisition. Question marks surround Crochet’s durability and availability into the season’s latter months as each inning he throws marks a new single-season career high in his first year as a big-league starter.
Furthermore, the Padres’ history of trading away prospects for high-caliber talent means they must be particularly selective in any deal-making, especially when considering parting with prospects like Ethan Salas and Leodalis De Vries.
