Garrett Crochet Remorseless About Trade Deadline Requests for Contract, Starter's Workload
Originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Just before the MLB's July 30 trade deadline, White Sox starter Garrett Crochet made a bold move by requesting a new contract from either the White Sox or a potential trade suitor, aiming to pitch in October during the postseason. This decision didn't sit well with some fans, and the impact on trade proposals remains uncertain. However, Crochet remains unapologetic about his actions.
"I don't think it was dependent on that being said or not," Crochet said before Wednesday's game. "I think any team would see the innings I threw last year and find it reasonable. So, yeah, I think it was ultimately the right call."
Crochet, who has a bit of notoriety, understands that even minor actions can draw criticism. "As baseball players, we have a little bit of notoriety so you know, if I wipe my a-- the wrong way, I think someone would say something about it."
Crochet and his agent aimed to secure financial stability for his career season on the mound this year. Over the past two seasons, he has pitched 12.1 innings due to Tommy John surgery in April 2022 and continued rehabbing through the 2023 season. This season, he has already pitched 114.1 innings—more than all of his previous major league innings combined. Hoping for a pay raise above the $800,000 he's making this season, Crochet still has two more years under club control before becoming a free agent in 2027.
His management was looking out for his future, which may have cost him the opportunity to pitch for a contender this season. Yet, he remains unrepentant, believing industry figures would understand his thought process.
"Kind of like I said, about the innings that I had last year. I think anybody can understand where I'm coming from in that regard," Crochet said. "I think it may have come across as greedy to some but I think those in the industry realized it's logical to have that line of thinking."
Whether or not teams understood his line of thinking, he remains on the White Sox past the MLB trade deadline. Now, he faces another unresolved demand he made ahead of the deadline: his workload.
Crochet wants to remain a starter, preferring the five-day routine of being a starter over the standby, everyday workload of a bullpen reliever. Still, the White Sox want to manage his workload for the rest of a season that got away from them early on.
"Whether a workload conversation happens at some point I imagined that I'll be involved in that," Crochet said. "At the same time, I'd rather not be at the forefront of making the call for me. I want to go out there and pitch and whenever I'm done, take the ball (from me)."
This offseason will be pivotal for Crochet's career. The White Sox will likely look to trade him again this offseason, especially if he remains healthy and continues to perform well, dispelling doubts of opposing teams.
"Arms like that just don't come around," GM Chris Getz said of trading Crochet during the offseason. "And, the interest, perhaps, could be even stronger, being that it's the offseason, and the urgency can change for a handful of clubs. So I anticipate the attention on Garrett and the interest in acquiring him is only going to go up."
Regarding the possibility of signing Crochet to an extension to remain on the South Side, Getz expressed openness. "We're going to have time to be able to have dialog with Garrett and his agents," Getz said. "For what he's done so far as a new starting pitcher at the major league level is nothing short of phenomenal. And to be able to be part of his journey as he continues to mature as a pitcher and a person, I'd love to be a part of that. But, you know, it's got to make sense for both sides."
Getz admitted to being surprised by Crochet's contract demands, feeling the way the 25-year-old expressed his desires wasn't handled ideally. Despite this, both Getz and Crochet maintain a healthy relationship, crucial as Crochet finishes out the rest of the 2024 season with the White Sox.
"I'm happy with exactly where I'm at," Crochet said. "Everything typically happens for a reason. I think that ultimately the right move was made and here I am. Saying that, I'm just going to focus on my next start, you know, keep going from there."
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