DALLAS (670 The Score) – With superstar outfielder Juan Soto having agreed to join Mets on a historic 15-year, $765-million deal, the rest of the free-agent market as well as trade conversations are heating up at the Winter Meetings.
“It does seem like my phone is buzzing a little more,” White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Monday.
Getz has been hearing from teams that are interested in trading for left-hander Garrett Crochet and center fielder Luis Robert Jr. The prevailing belief across baseball is that the White Sox will trade the 25-year-old Crochet this winter as he has two years of club control remaining. The Mets and the Yankees were among the teams showing interest in Crochet on Monday, according to reports.
Getz hasn’t been surprised at all by the interest in Crochet, who posted a 3.58 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 146 innings across 32 starts in 2024, when he was named an All-Star in his first season as a starter in the big leagues.
“We are certainly looking for impact in any deal like that,” Getz said. “We are definitely dialed into position players at this point. We would certainly consider a quality pitcher as well. We are committed to doing things right and not be shortsighted. I have learned so far the market comes to you when you have quality. We showed we were very patient last year with (Dylan) Cease and trying to find the right fit for us. We are being a little more measured this offseason.”
Given that the White Sox are seeking position players in return for Crochet, the Cubs are one of the clubs that would appear to be a trade match. The Cubs have seven position players rated among the top 100 prospects in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline – infielder Matt Shaw, outfielder Owen Caissie, catcher Moises Ballesteros, second baseman James Triantos, outfielder Kevin Alcantara, third baseman Cam Smith and shortstop Jefferson Rojas.
“We have had conversations on various topics over coffee numerous times,” Getz said of his discussions with Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer. “If there is a match there, then there is one. We have to do what's best for the White Sox and if that means we knock on the door of the Cubs, so be it. They have a talented group of position players making its way toward the major leagues. If we feel that a trade with them will help the White Sox, we will do it. However, there are other organizations with good talent we may match up with.”
Getz has been open and transparent about discussing trades of his players as the White Sox come off a 121-loss campaign, which set an MLB record for the most losses in a single season.
"That is just the way I like to operate,” Getz said. “I like to be up front with everyone – doesn't matter if it's with another GM, players or coaches. There is certain information that you can share, perhaps you don't share all of it. At the end of the day, I like to be very truthful and up front about our current state and what we are trying to accomplish. We need to break through barriers and get things done for the White Sox.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.