(670 The Score) The White Sox were “taken aback” by ace left-hander Garrett Crochet’s agency revealing last week that he’ll refuse to pitch in the playoffs if he’s traded to a new team without a contract extension, Chicago general manager Chris Getz said Monday.
Crochet's camp also indicated he doesn't want to be used in the bullpen. Those revelations have complicated the White Sox’s efforts to trade the 25-year-old Crochet, as interested suitors want to use him in the playoffs and are wary of giving big money to a player with a track record of just four months of starting at the MLB level. Crochet and his representation have set those parameters with his health in mind, as he missed all of the 2022 season and much of 2023 as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. Crochet has thrown 114 1/3 innings this season. He had thrown just 73 innings in the big leagues prior to 2024.
A day before the trade deadline, Getz on Monday expressed his displeasure with the communication surrounding Crochet’s request.
“The communication had been very strong between Garrett and I and his agency,” Getz said. “I was a little surprised and taken aback by how they went about it, considering that I had a conversation with his agent the night before. That’s not exactly the tactic that I would have taken, even being a former player, quite honestly. Just because the dialogue had been so honest and real and careful and mindful of his career. Because I’ve known him since we got him. So I was a little surprised by it, I was.”
Crochet has a 3.23 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 22 starts this season. He has struck out 12.6 batters per nine innings. Crochet is under contract control through the 2026 season.
While he expressed frustration, Getz also understood Crochet’s bigger-picture goal.
“We understand why a stance would be taken like that,” Getz said. “Now, how you go about expressing that was what was a bit hurtful, quite honestly, considering we could have handled it a little bit differently and still everyone accomplish what they wanted to accomplish.
“He’s looking out for his long-term well-being. We fully understand and support that and will continue to do so. But the belief that we didn’t have his best intentions in mind was what I was a little surprised by with how it was handled. But Garrett and I are fine. We’re good. I’ll continue to be one of his top supporters.”
What this all means for Crochet’s future remains uncertain. A suitor might still swoop in and give Crochet a contract extension or acquire him and hope he changes his mind as the rest of the 2024 season plays out.
If not, Crochet will remain on the White Sox into the offseason, when they can revisit trade talks.
“It definitely created some questions,” Getz said. “The short-term and long-term consequences are unknown.”