The New York Yankees have been tied up in the Juan Soto sweepstakes this winter. The Yankees sat and watched as the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to terms on a deal with San Francisco Giants ace Blake Snell on Tuesday night. Now the Yankees need to find a way to respond.
One player they could look to trade for is Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet, who would come to New York as a cheap option, allowing the Yankees to add much more talent in free agency alongside the southpaw.
Crochet, 25, made 32 starts in 2024 where he amassed 209 strikeouts in 146 innings. The flamethrowing lefty held a 3.58 ERA and 4.1 WAR in his first full season as a starting pitcher.
He was rumored to be a big-time trade target at the 2024 MLB trade deadline, but contract and injury concerns halted any deal before it could take place. New York could look past both of those issues in this time of emergency, dealing from its farm system to acquire the ace.
Here's the full deal that could send Crochet to the Bronx:
- New York Yankees receive: LHP Garrett Crochet
- Chicago White Sox receive: OF Spencer Jones (No. 2 prospect), SS/2B Roderick Arias (No. 4 prospect), LHP Brock Selvidge (No. 7 prospect), 2B Roc Riggio (No. 21 prospect)
The return for Crochet would need to be massive, especially with the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies emerging as prime suitors for the flamethrowing lefty. The Yankees wouldn't just need to match the White Sox's asking price, but they would have to outbid the Red Sox and Phillies.
Jones, Arias and Selvidge would be the core of this trade with Riggio being thrown in as an add on. The White Sox reportedly want young position player talent in return for Crochet. Unlike the Red Sox or Phillies, New York doesn't have big league position players to move in this deal, so the prospect capital is much steeper.
Jones registered 200 strikeouts last year, but he posted a .788 OPS and was an elite power hitter. Arias is still 20 years old and finding his way in pro ball. Selvidge is a crafty lefty with solid command over four good offerings including a cutter. Riggio has flashed good speed and power numbers in his short pro career.
The Yankees need to add something before the top options all come off the board. The heat was turned up on the Bronx Bombers after Snell signed with Los Angeles. Let's see how the Yankees respond.
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