Garrett Crochet’s top suitors from the latest rumors

With the MLB rumor mill picking up steam lately, it’s essential to keep an eye on teams showing the most interest in players, either in the free agency world or in the trade market.

Garrett Crochet is perhaps the most coveted trade chip on the block, and it’s not surprising that these four teams are looking to acquire him this winter. Right now, these are the power rankings for who has the best chance/interest to trade for Crochet this winter.

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With the Baltimore Orioles likely to lose Corbin Burnes this winter, it makes sense for a team that doesn’t want to spend that much money on one player to be paired with someone like Crochet, who has several years of cheap team control. Of course, Baltimore will look at free agency before really considering the trade market, with names like Burnes popping up, but it’s unlikely they’ll last long in a bidding war with a team like the Mets.

Either way, don’t wait for Baltimore to swoop in if they don’t find who they’re eyeing in free agency. They still have a pretty deep farm capable of pulling off a blockbuster if they want to, so they’re certainly among the top competitors to land Crochet if push comes to shove. If it comes down to Baltimore signing anyone significant to their rotation via free agency, they will be much higher on this list.

Given Boston Red Sox President Sam Kennedy’s previous comments, we can all expect the Sox to be very aggressive this winter. They will look to improve the roster however they can, whether through free agents or trade. It should come as no surprise that Boston has already been linked, with names like Wilyer Abreu being floated as a potential headline.

Due to Boston’s open willingness to build a competitive roster this winter, being paired with Garrett Crochet should not be taken lightly when the team needs noticeable rotation upgrades. However, Boston has now officially stated that it is willing to exceed the luxury tax. That’s why I see Boston deciding to spend at the top of the market instead, and if that doesn’t work out, revisit the trade market at that point.

The Philadelphia Phillies fell short in their attempt to return to the World Series in 2024, but we shouldn’t take them lightly this season. They still have their foot on the gas pedal, and landing Garrett Crochet via trade would be a way to help them complete LA next season. Philly comes in as a top two favorite to land Crochet this winter, amid a bidding war with all the teams on this list.

The interest here is significant, but I can’t imagine Philly pulling the trigger. They already have a solid rotation of Zach Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Cristopher Sanchez and Taijuan Walker. In theory, they could move someone to the bullpen, but I’m not so sure their prospects will be enough to entice the White Sox to make a deal.

Aidan Miller and Justin Crawford are both ranked in the top 100. Miller struggled when promoted to Double-A, but Crawford had a fantastic season. Andrew Painter, the former top prospect in the Phillies system, hasn’t pitched since 2022. Their other top 100 player is Starlyn Caba, who hit just .228.385/.284 between Rookie Ball and Low-A this season.

The team that lands Crochet will have to land him, not necessarily because they want him. Considering Philly’s full rotation and the Sox wanting a blue chip prospect and probably more, it leads me to believe…

Fresh off a World Series title, the Los Angeles Dodgers are losing key starting rotation members that got them there. Jack Flaherty, acquired at the deadline, is a free agent and Walker Buehler will start this winter. Shohei Ohtani should be pitching at the front of the rotation again next season. Still, outside of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, the Dodgers would like to land another top-tier arm to stay atop the projected rankings.

LA wanted Crochet at the trade deadline, but was unwilling to part with prospect Dalton Rushing. If Crochet hadn’t made comments about refusing to pitch in the postseason, LA might have been more willing to make the deal. Yet here we are, with LA showing strong interest in acquiring Crochet. Considering they’re also competing with Corbin Burnes, you can bet that if they miss out on Crochet, they’ll at least find someone to move the needle. They certainly have the caliber of prospects to pull it off.