The Chicago White Sox face a daunting challenge ahead, but they need to take the first step toward rebuilding.
After setting a Major League Baseball record with 121 losses, the White Sox must figure out how to start assembling a competitive team. It won’t be easy, but a good starting point might involve trading All-Star starting pitcher Garrett Crochet.
Crochet doesn’t align with the White Sox’s timeline. With only two years left under team control, and with Chicago unlikely to be playoff-ready by 2026, it seems almost inevitable that the team will trade him if they make the right decisions.
There are plenty of teams that could be a good match for Crochet, especially considering many teams aren’t looking to recover from a historically awful season like the White Sox’s. However, the defending American League champions could be an unexpected yet strong fit for the 25-year-old pitcher.
Christopher Kline of FanSided recently named the New York Yankees as a potential trade destination for Crochet.
“Garrett Crochet is still on his rookie contract through 2026, although he’s going to want a new deal upon his arrival in New York. And that’s fine… There’s a chance for Crochet to grow with the Yankees for the next decade,” Kline stated.
“His production wavered slightly around the All-Star break, but Crochet finished strong and was, frankly, the only true bright spot in an otherwise dour campaign for the White Sox. Now that he’s on the market, several contenders will come knocking, but New York has the motivation and the prospect capital to get a deal across the finish line.”
A trade for Crochet will likely require the acquiring team to sign him to a long-term deal, as his representatives requested at the trade deadline last season. Spotrac’s Market Value tool estimates a six-year, $131 million extension for Crochet.
Just as the White Sox are eager to escape their difficult situation, the Yankees are hungry to win their first World Series since 2009. This trade could work for both teams, provided the Yankees are willing to outbid other contenders with their prospects.
