The Baltimore Orioles’ need for another top-tier starting pitcher is obvious. They are in their competitive window, have had several devastating injuries to their starting rotation recently, and have the prospects to get a trade done for an impact pitcher. The White Sox are a logical trade partner for them, and Baltimore has recently contacted the White Sox regarding Garrett Crochet, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Crochet’s Stellar 2024 Season
Crochet’s 2024 stats do all the talking. He has been one of MLB’s best pitchers this season. He ranks first in strikeouts and fWAR, second in FIP, and third in WHIP among all pitchers. Crochet also has two and a half seasons of team control left at extremely team-friendly salaries. Virtually any team in the league could use him, and it is not a surprise that teams are already calling the White Sox regarding his availability in a trade. While Heyman did not reveal the Orioles offer, having concrete evidence that they called about Crochet is a new development and certainly worth discussing.
Orioles Stacked Farm System
The Orioles farm system is loaded, especially with position players. Like the Phillies and Mariners, Baltimore is another perfect trade partner for a White Sox team desperately needing to infuse hitting into the organization. Even operating under the assumption that Jackson Holliday is untouchable, the Orioles still have a wide variety of young talent that should appeal to the White Sox in a potential Crochet trade.
Samuel Basallo
Samuel Basallo is a 19-year left-handed hitting catcher who is the #12 prospect in baseball according to MLB.com’s list. Basallo has 60-grade power and a 60-grade arm. Despite being almost five years younger than the average AA player, Basallo has 14 doubles, 11 home runs, and a .798 OPS in 69 games while drawing walks over 8% of the time. While he might eventually move to first base, Basallo’s left-handed bat is legit and exactly what the White Sox need more of.
Coby Mayo
Coby Mayo is the #15 overall prospect on MLB’s list. The 22-year-old already has 17 doubles, 21 home runs, and an OPS over 1.000 this season, playing primarily at the AAA level. Mayo has 65-grade power and a 70-grade arm, making him an ideal third baseman long term. He also has experience playing first base. Regardless of his future defensive position, there is no doubt that Mayo can hit.
Connor Norby
Connor Norby is a 24-year-old infielder with 20 doubles and 11 home runs in 67 AAA games this season. The right-handed hitting infielder has plenty of experience playing second base, left field, and right field in the minors. Unfortunately for him, the Orioles lineup is so loaded that there is no consistent spot for him in the big leagues. That would not be the case in Chicago. Norby is ready for MLB and would start immediately in Chicago if the White Sox trade for him. Should the White Sox want MLB-ready talent coming back in a Crochet trade, Norby is a logical part of a potential package.
Heston Kjerstad
Heston Kjerstad is another player who has yet to receive much of a chance in the big leagues with Baltimore but has a very impressive minor-league track record. His .998 OPS in 56 AAA games this season speaks for itself. Kjerstad has also performed well in a small MLB sample size, putting up an .890 OPS in 14 MLB games. A 25-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder, Kjerstad is another guy whose skills and profile fit what the White Sox need.
Other Intriguing Orioles Prospects
Baltimore has other intriguing young talent in their farm system, including outfielders Enrique Bradfield Jr., Dylan Beavers, and Jud Fabian, as well as pitchers Chayce McDermott, Cade Povich, and Seth Johnson. The potential prospect package combinations from the Orioles are endless. If they are serious about Crochet, they have enough prospect capital to get a deal done.
Blockbuster Deal Makes Sense On Paper
The Orioles are just one game ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. They need another stud pitcher. Garrett Crochet could be that guy. Baltimore is currently contending, while the White Sox desperately needs to add young talent. A trade between the two teams has made all the sense in the world for months now, and Baltimore’s urgency to get the deal done could increase as the trade deadline nears.
