Garrett Crochet Trade Would Push Phillies Past Dodgers as WS Favorite Amid MLB Rumors

The Philadelphia Phillies watched their dreams of a return to the World Series in 2024 crash and burn at the hands of a red-hot New York Mets squad in the National League's Divisional Series and will now spend the offseason seeking the right players to ensure they do not experience that disappointment again.

One way to do that is to upgrade their starting rotation, something the team is already looking into.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported, "No already-employed player was sought after more at these GM meetings than Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet, who struck out 209 batters in 146 innings and earned only $800,000 last season. The White Sox have openly told teams he's available and are expected to trade him by the end of the winter meetings, with the Philadelphia Phillies and Dodgers the most aggressive."

Interestingly enough, the Dodgers are also interested in acquiring Crochet's services from Chicago.

It is not difficult to see why.

Crochet pitched in 146 innings in 2024, the most of his career. He compiled a 3.58 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and struck out 209 batters while walking just 33.

He was a strike-throwing machine for a historically bad White Sox squad, and the idea of him jumping ship to a contending team is appealing for the player and whichever squad is lucky enough to work out a deal with Chicago.

For the Phillies, it would almost certainly secure the team the best rotation in the game.

Adding Crochet to a roster that already includes Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suarez, and Aaron Nola would instantaneously push the team to the level of, if not beyond, the Dodgers as the favorite to win the NL pennant, especially considering those players' ability to hold the Dodgers' explosive lineup in check.

Does the team need another bat?

Realistically, yes, preferably in the outfield. Going and getting Anthony Santander, who is an excellent right fielder and blasted 44 home runs in 2024, would be a huge "get" for the team. He would be an upgrade at a position of need and bring power hitting to the Phils' lineup.

Even without him, though, there is enough to like about the Phillies and the roster they have assembled to believe they would be every bit the threat to make the World Series as they were this season.

More so if they can convince Chicago to part with their fastball-throwing lefty.