Garrett Crochet Stays With Chicago White Sox After Strange Trade Demands

The Chicago White Sox are making history with a 17-game losing streak, holding the worst record in Major League Baseball. With the product on the field falling apart, the White Sox were in sell mode at the July 30 trade deadline. They moved OF Eloy Jimenez, who has been with the team for six years, to the Baltimore Orioles. But, surprisingly, they held left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet, who seemed like a sure thing to get moved just two weeks ago.

The 25-year-old has already surpassed 150 strikeouts by August 1, as his fifth season in the MLB becomes his breakout year. Most teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, looked for starting pitching at the deadline. But he made demands that forced the White Sox to hold him and scared opposing teams away.

Crochet has already thrown 114 innings this season, which is by far the most in his career. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022. John Heyman reported that he would only pitch in the postseason as a starter if he earned a contract extension or would shut himself down. Some teams wanted to use Crochet out of the bullpen, but he also stated he would not come out as a reliever.

Crochet made just $800,000 in 2024 and is arbitration-eligible for the next two seasons before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz made his feelings known to ESPN leading up to the deadline and did not seem happy.

“The communication had been very strong between Garrett and I and his agency. I was a little surprised and taken aback by how they went about it, considering I had a conversation with his agent the night before. That’s not exactly the tactic I would have taken, being a former player,” Getz said. “We understand why a stance would be taken like that. How you go about expressing that, was a bit hurtful, quite honestly, considering we could have handled it a little bit differently and still accomplish what everyone wanted to accomplish.”

With the White Sox out of postseason contention, Crochet may shut down before the season concludes.

Article by Jordan Silversmith