At this point in 2024, the Cubs have all but ruled out making a serious push for the postseason, especially after another series loss to the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has already said that whatever moves the team makes at the trade deadline will only help them in 2025 and beyond.
We have already heard about the Cubs’ potential trade candidates, such as Jameson Taillon, Hector Neris, and Mark Leiter Jr., but a new report suggests the Cubs could be circling a trade candidate this off-season.
In a new report from The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal discusses the possibility of what the Crosstown, Chicago White Sox, might do with their ace starting pitcher, Garrett Crochet. He mentions that the White Sox, instead then dumping Crochet at this year’s deadline, feel that they might get even more value for him during the off-season. Rosenthal mentions teams that might be interested and specifically drops the Cubs.
Rosenthal mentions that teams already out of contention for the 2024 season, including the Chicago Cubs, will be interested in Crochet during the off-season.
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Let me preface this again and say this is strictly for the off-season. I do not see the Cubs making any moves that could play a factor in their success going forward for the rest of the 2024 season instead of shipping off parts for which they can get value. I do believe, however, that the Cubs want to contend in 2025 and feel that they have the pieces to make a run, and getting another top starting pitcher for their rotation would all but surely help push the team to make a run next year.
If you haven’t been keeping up with Crochet throughout this season, you have missed out. Crochet has been the bright spot on a very dim Chicago White Sox team. Not only has he been able to turn into the form that White Sox fans were hoping for when they drafted him, but he has also been one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball. Crochet has the second-most strikeouts in the league while boasting a 3.07 ERA.
Now, if the White Sox don’t end up finding a deal they love at this year’s trade deadline and decide to hold him until this upcoming off-season, I think the Cubs should be all over the prospect of trading for the first-time All-Star. Not only are rotation spots likely to open up in the next few months (Taillon is likely being traded, and Hendricks is a free agent), but they would also make one of the most formidable 1-2-3s in Major League Baseball with Imanaga and Steele.
The Cubs would likely have to give up a king’s ransom for Crochet, but it is worth it. The team has been looking for a starter for a long time who can strike out 10+ batters a game while still being able to throw 100+ mph past the 7th inning. And if you want to contend, you cannot prospect hold forever. It has worked out for other teams, and if he makes it past this year’s trade deadline, I genuinely do think the Chicago Cubs should be all over this idea in the off-season.
