MMO Trade Profile: Garrett Crochet, LHP
Position: SP B/T: L/L
Age: 25 (06/21/1999)
2024 Traditional Stats: 32 G, 146.0 IP, 6-12, 3.58 ERA, 1.068 WHIP, 209 SO, 33 BB
2024 Advanced Stats: 115 ERA+, 35.1% SO%, 5.6% BB%, 2.83 xERA, 2.69 FIP, 2.38 xFIP, 4.7 fWAR, 4.1 bWAR
Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images
RUNDOWN
The New York Mets need an ace. And Garrett Crochet could be had for the right price.
A breakout star in 2024, Crochet was arguably the American League’s best pitcher not named Tarik Skubal.
The White Sox, fresh off a historically bad season, seem more interested in trading Crochet for position players than locking him up long-term. This presents a golden opportunity for Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who’s facing the potential departures of key rotation cogs like Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and Jose Quintana.
Crochet, a former first-round pick from Tennessee, could be the perfect solution.
Called up to the big leagues in the same year he was drafted (2020), Crochet joined the bullpen to support the White Sox’s playoff push during the shortened season. It didn’t take long for the former No. 11 overall pick to shine in relief, as he posted a 2.82 ERA with a dominant 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings in 2021.
Quickly establishing himself as one of the more dominant left-handed relievers in the game, Crochet’s early success hit a snag. He missed the entire 2022 season and most of 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery. The White Sox then moved him to the rotation in 2024, where he’s thrived.
Crochet has emerged as a perennial Cy Young contender with a 3.58 ERA and a ridiculous 35.1% strikeout rate.
Despite his lack of experience as a starter, Crochet has lined himself up to be one of the more dominant pitchers in the game. Entering his second year of arbitration, Crochet is expected to only command a figure of $2.9 million, according to MLB Trade Rumors. And with two years of team control remaining, he’s an incredibly attractive trade target for any team — especially the Mets — seeking a young, elite left-handed starter. Crochet is also reportedly open to an extension with the team that acquires him.
PACKAGE
Crochet’s potential trade value is sky-high.
With two years of control remaining, the White Sox can demand a significant return for Crochet. However, the Mets, backed by deep pockets and a farm system rich in promising position players, are in a prime position to put together a strong bid.
RECOMMENDATION
Acquiring a pitcher like Garrett Crochet does not come around these parts often. The last time the Mets acquired an ace in his prime was in 2008 when they sent a package of promising prospects for some left-handed pitcher named Johan Santana.
It goes without saying that Crochet won’t come cheap. A trade for him would likely cost the Mets some promising young talent like the names mentioned above. But this is Stearns’ chance to acquire an ace without breaking the bank on a free agent like Corbin Burnes, who’s shown signs of decline. He’s not hard-pressed for cash, but it’s against his DNA to give guys like Burnes a contract of that magnitude. And someone like Crochet won’t hit the open market. If the Mets don’t trade for him, someone else will.
Instead, Stearns can trade for a young, controllable pitcher. While he might be sacrificing the promising prospects he inherited in the farm system, we know he’s plenty capable of cultivating a strong farm system when given the chance.
That said, the Mets should absolutely do whatever it takes to land Crochet, especially given that they’re dealing with the White Sox front office.
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