We are a little over a week before the July 30 trade deadline approaches, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be big players. The Dodgers have a handful of areas they need to improve on, including the outfield, shortstop, and relief pitching; however, expect Los Angeles to try and acquire a starting pitcher, specifically White Sox ace Garrett Crochet.
Crochet is expected to be on the move this summer, and the Dodgers are one of many teams that will make a run for the one-time All-Star. According to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, Crochet is at the top of the Dodgers list, regardless of whether they’ll use him as a starting pitcher or relief pitcher as October approaches.
“Chicago White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet is considered to be at the top of the Dodgers’ list, regardless of whether he’s a starter or a reliever the rest of the way (Crochet, a converted starter, has already topped 100 innings after throwing no more than 65 in a season dating back to his days at Tennessee),” said Gonzalez. “He could be, at the very least, a key multi-inning member of the Dodgers’ bullpen – – but the White Sox will ask for a return based on his value as a starter nonetheless.”
Crochet converted to a starting pitcher this season and has already collected a career-high 107.1 innings pitched through the first half of the second season. The 25-year-old missed the entire 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He returned in 2023, pitching in 13 games, recording a 0-2 record, 12 strikeouts, and a 1.97 WHIP in 12.2 innings.
However, in 2024, Crochet is proving that he is an ace moving forward, and he would be a massive grab for the Dodgers, who have been struggling due to an immense amount of injuries. This trade deadline will have plenty of other top available pitchers, and it isn’t Crochet or die for the team. But being able to acquire the top available pitcher could take L.A. to the next level.
