“Yankees and Mets are among the best suitors for Garrett Crochet”

A day after the Mets and Yankees ended the battle for the top free agent, they are in competition for arguably the best trade candidate of the winter. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon report that New York is currently the most aggressive suitor for the White Sox left-handed hitter Garrett Crochet.

The Athletic writes that the Red Sox and Phillies have also expressed interest, but at the moment they appear to be lagging behind the New York teams. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi put the Brewers on Crochet this morning, although the Athletic report doesn’t mention Milwaukee. Rosenthal and Sammon point out that no team is close to making a deal yet.

Crochet remained healthy in his first full season as a starter. The Sox reduced their workload after failing to pull off a deadline trade. Chicago never shut him down during the rotation or skipped his assignments, but they did cut his starts at the end of the year. Crochet finished the season with 146 innings in 32 appearances. He posted dominant rate stats, striking out 35.1% of the batters he faced with an excellent 5.5% walk rate. His 3.58 earned run average didn’t quite match those fantastic peripherals. That’s at least in part because he played in front of one of the game’s worst defensive teams, which contributed to an elevated .318 average on balls played against him.

In 2025, Crochet Projects will serve as the top rotation arm. He shouldn’t worry so much about his workload down the stretch. His deadline trade candidacy was also complicated by the late announcement that he was seeking a contract extension if he had to make the postseason in his first season as a starter. This is no longer an obstacle.

Chicago GM Chris Getz spoke generally about a potential Crochet trade. He reiterated the organization’s preference to bring in young hitting talent, but suggested they wouldn’t mind focusing on pitching if they felt it was the best offer (X-Link via Scott Merkin of MLB.com ). Getz reiterated that he doesn’t feel pressured to make a trade this offseason, although it would be a big surprise if Crochet was still wearing a White Sox uniform by the end of March.

Of the New York teams, the Mets have more talent at the top of the farm system. Their system is led by shortstop Jett Williams. Baseball America is the 19-year-old infielder Jesus Baez as the No. 3 prospect in the organization. Ronny Mauricio is a former top prospect who might have opened the season as New York’s third baseman if he hadn’t torn his ACL in winter ball last year. Third baseman Brett Baty has seen his stock decline as he has underperformed in MLB pitching, but he is drawing attention as a candidate for a change of scenery. Even if Baty no longer has the desire to headline a crochet package, he could be interesting as a supporting player. (The Sox built their deadline return Erick Fedde And Michael Kopech around Miguel Vargasanother post-hype infielder.)

The Yankees’ system is the headline Jason Dominguez. However, there is a sharp decline afterwards. It would be a surprise if the Americans were willing to put Domínguez in a crochet package. The switch-hitter could be New York’s starting center fielder next year Aaron Richter He may step into right field after that Juan Soto went. outfielder Spencer Jones and infielders George Lombard Jr. And Roderick Arias were once considered top-100 talents, but they all had worrisome minor league seasons. Jones and Arias hit with tremendous speed, while Lombard didn’t produce much power in A-ball.

Crochet can be controlled for two seasons. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects him to make a bargain salary of $2.9 million. Even for New York franchises, affordability is attractive. The Yankees might prefer to attack the lineup in free agency rather than pursue top pitching. The Mets still need a top starter. So far, they have shied away from making such a move in free agency, instead building the rotation with upside plays Clay Holmes And Frankie Montas.