Another Day, Another Garrett Crochet Trade Rumor

The Winter Meetings kick off today, and Chris Getz and the Chicago White Sox front office will have their hands full fielding offers for their star pitcher, Garrett Crochet. Trade rumors continue to swirl, with multiple teams reportedly vying for his services. Adding to the speculation, a new contender has entered the mix.

Red Sox beat writer Chris Cotillo reports that the Cincinnati Reds have thrown their hat in the ring for Crochet. This comes after the Reds already bolstered their pitching rotation earlier this offseason by trading second baseman Jonathan India to the Kansas City Royals for pitcher Brady Singer.

Reds Enter The Race

The Reds now boast a strong trio, with Singer joining all-star Hunter Greene and rising star Andrew Abbott. Adding Crochet, another all-star, could transform their rotation into one of the best in the National League.

However, the Reds' offensive lineup remains a concern. While doubling down on pitching is a smart strategy, the team needs to address their lack of firepower at the plate. The White Sox are reportedly seeking premium position players in return for Crochet, and the Reds have three such players ranked in MLB.com’s top 100 prospects. 

Unfortunately for Cincinnati, these prospects are not expected to debut in the majors until 2026, complicating their bid to acquire Crochet.

On paper, Cincinnati seems to have the assets to make a trade work. However, unless they upgrade their offense through free agency, their path to contention will remain challenging.

Red Sox Still in the Mix?

In addition to Cincinnati, the Boston Red Sox have long been rumored as a potential destination for Crochet. Chris Cotillo recently reported that the Red Sox are on the periphery of trade discussions with the White Sox. Their interest in the South Siders' star hurler has been apparent since the season ended.

Initially, Boston was reluctant to include any of their top three prospects in a trade. However, Morosi now suggests that their stance may be softening. Marcelo Mayer, ranked by MLB.com as the seventh-best prospect in baseball, could potentially be included in a package for Crochet. This shift could signal Boston’s willingness to make a bold move to strengthen their pitching rotation.