The New York Mets are setting the stage for a potential overhaul of their starting rotation, reportedly eyeing a significant trade to acquire a new ace. With their standout 2024 season ending just shy of a World Series appearance, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns could look to strike a deal with the Chicago White Sox for left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet, according to Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller.
The Mets’ rotation, which boasted a solid 3.46 ERA post-All-Star break—the fifth-best in baseball—faces uncertainty as veterans Jose Quintana, Luis Severino, and Sean Manaea all enter free agency. Team owner Steve Cohen’s willingness to invest through free agency is well-known, yet adding a young, controllable arm like Crochet could be a smart, long-term move for Stearns.
The proposed deal would see the Mets send three of their top prospects to Chicago in exchange for Crochet:
- Mets receive: LHP Garrett Crochet
- White Sox receive: SS/OF Jett Williams, RHP Nolan McLean, and RHP Jonah Tong
Williams, McLean, and Tong rank second, ninth, and tenth, respectively, among the Mets’ top prospects, per MLB.com’s 2024 rankings. Acquiring Crochet would give the Mets a promising young ace, under team control until 2026. In his first full year as a starter, Crochet went 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and 209 strikeouts over 146 innings. His market value is estimated at around $130 million for a six-year span, though his projected salary for 2025 sits at a modest $2.9 million.
For the White Sox, dealing Crochet aligns with their rebuilding strategy. Rumored to be available at the trade deadline, Crochet could now net the White Sox a trio of promising prospects, accelerating their rebuild. As the Mets look to maintain their contender status, adding Crochet could be the move that bolsters their rotation for a deeper postseason run in 2025.
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