Garrett Crochet Trade Makes Sense Only With One Key Move

The Cincinnati Reds have been speculated as a possible destination for Chicago White Sox left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet in trade rumors. While no formal negotiations have been reported, it’s worth considering whether a trade for Crochet would make sense for the Reds. In a vacuum, acquiring the White Sox ace doesn’t appear to be the most logical move. However, there’s a specific scenario where such a trade could benefit the Reds if it’s part of a larger strategy.

Crochet’s Dominant Performance and Trade Value

Garrett Crochet is an extremely talented pitcher, and his numbers speak for themselves. In 2023, he posted an impressive 12 strikeouts per nine innings (K/9) while keeping his walks to just 2 per nine innings (BB/9). This combination of dominance and control is rare in today’s game, making Crochet a highly sought-after asset. Despite pitching in every game last season, his inning total only reached 146, which is just under 4.5 innings per start. This relatively low workload, coupled with his electric stuff, indicates that he could be a very effective option in a starting rotation or bullpen, making him a potential game-changer for any team.

However, his talent comes at a cost. The White Sox, who are currently in the midst of a rebuild, would likely ask for significant prospects in return for Crochet, potentially two or three top-ten prospects from the Reds’ farm system. This presents a challenge for Cincinnati, as general manager Nick Krall has stated on multiple occasions that he is not willing to deplete the team’s deep pool of prospects for a single player.

The Only Way It Makes Sense

So, why would a Garrett Crochet trade make sense for the Reds? The answer lies in the possibility of another trade happening simultaneously. If the Reds do decide to part with valuable prospects to acquire Crochet, they would need to replenish their roster in other areas, especially the outfield. Despite a strong rotation, the Reds have glaring holes in their lineup, particularly in the outfield. Trading away top-tier prospects would make it even more difficult to address this need through a traditional trade or free-agent acquisition.

In this scenario, the only way the Crochet trade makes sense is if Krall has another deal lined up. Specifically, he would need to ship one of the Reds’ young pitchers to acquire a quality starting outfielder. This would allow the Reds to strengthen their pitching staff with Crochet while simultaneously addressing their outfield concerns through a separate trade.

Conclusion: High-Risk, High-Reward

In summary, while a Garrett Crochet trade alone doesn’t make immediate sense for the Reds, it could work as part of a broader strategy. If Nick Krall is willing to part with top prospects for Crochet, the Reds would need to follow up with another trade to fill their outfield gap. Without such a secondary deal in place, the risks of depleting the farm system would outweigh the potential rewards of adding Crochet to their pitching staff. The Reds’ offseason moves will likely hinge on their ability to balance acquiring top-tier talent while addressing their roster weaknesses in a strategic, sustainable way.