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Garrett Crochet Trade Nets White Sox 4 Promising Prospects

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Besnik Zekiri | Last updated Dec 11, 2024 5:02 PM ET

The rumors since the 2024 trade deadline are finally becoming a reality for the Chicago White Sox. Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that the Boston Red Sox are acquiring Chicago's left-handed starting pitcher, Garrett Crochet, pending a physical. The trade is a culmination of many rumors throughout the offseason that have linked up to 12 teams to the White Sox blossoming ace.

The Red Sox boast one of the sport's deepest farm systems and will send four players to Chicago . Catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth, and right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez will join the White Sox organization. The deal represents a significant haul for Chicago, a steep price in return for an ace under two years of arbitration.

The Chicago White Sox will be receiving four prospects from the Boston Red Sox, all of whom are highly regarded, sources tell ESPN. It's a big return for Chicago, but for a pitcher like Crochet -- an ace-level starter with two years of cheap control -- that's the price to pay.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2024

The Return

The players represent Boston's 4th, 5th, 11th, and 14th-ranked prospects, per MLB.com's Red Sox organizational rankings list. Reports linked the White Sox to Montgomery in the lead-up to the 2024 draft, but the Red Sox eventually selected him 14th overall, with MLB.com ranking him 54th in their top 100.

Teel is also a first-round pick chosen 14th overall by the Red Sox in the 2023 draft and is currently rated the 25th overall prospect in baseball. Projections consider Meidroth, Boston's 4th-round draftee in 2022, a second baseman in the majors. The Red Sox signed Gonzalez out of Venezuela for $250,000 in 2018, and he can become a top-of-the-rotation starter if he can limit walks.

Turning the Page

Moving on from Crochet is a tough pill to swallow for the White Sox. The lefty has come a long way since Chicago drafted him in the first round of the 2020 draft. He played a significant role as a reliever for the 2021 division champions, but Tommy John surgery cost him all of 2022 and most of 2023. The White Sox surprised many when they announced he would be their opening-day starter in 2024. The decision paid off as Crochet produced an all-star season.

However, after a record-setting 121-loss campaign, Chicago must supplement its organization with young talent as it embarks on its second rebuild in less than a decade.

What's On Tap Next?

The White Sox and their fans can move on from speculation and offseason rumors regarding their top starter. Aside from this trade, the White Sox expect to have a quiet offseason. The decision to trade Crochet is prudent as the White Sox do not expect to contend in the next two years, and ownership was unlikely to extend the young lefty.

Chris Getz has returned significant young talent to the deal, but only time will tell if the decision pays off. The hard part is turning young talent into a winning ballclub.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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