Rumored Yankees target could help Brian Cashman win the Garrett Crochet sweepstakes

Rumored Yankees Target Could Help Brian Cashman Win the Garrett Crochet Sweepstakes

As Major League Baseball’s offseason continues to unfold, rumors are swirling around the New York Yankees, particularly in regard to their pursuit of Garrett Crochet, the promising left-handed pitcher from the Chicago White Sox. As one of the most intriguing targets on the trade market, Crochet has the potential to bolster the Yankees’ pitching staff for years to come. And with the team in the midst of recalibrating their roster for the 2024 season, there is increasing speculation that New York’s front office, led by general manager Brian Cashman, could be a key player in the race to acquire the young arm.

Crochet, 23, has already made a name for himself as one of the most exciting and high-potential arms in the game. Known for his upper-90s fastball and devastating slider, Crochet’s stuff has intrigued scouts and analysts since he was drafted by the White Sox in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft. Although his career has been filled with flashes of brilliance, he has also faced some injury setbacks, limiting his appearances on the mound. Despite these hurdles, his potential remains undeniable, making him a coveted target for a team like the Yankees, who are looking to strengthen their bullpen and add depth to their pitching rotation.

The Appeal of Garrett Crochet

Crochet is a rare commodity in today’s baseball landscape: a flame-throwing left-handed pitcher with an electric arm. His fastball routinely touches the upper 90s and even creeps into the triple digits, while his slider is a wipeout pitch that keeps hitters off balance. Even though Crochet has not yet reached his full potential, his upside is what has drawn attention from numerous teams across the league. His high velocity and ability to dominate left-handed hitters make him an ideal fit for a Yankees team that has been looking to add a reliable southpaw to their bullpen.

The Yankees have already bolstered their rotation with key additions in the past few seasons, but the bullpen remains an area where they could use further improvement. With Clay Holmes coming off an up-and-down 2023 season and the rest of the bullpen needing to step up, a versatile, hard-throwing lefty like Crochet could give manager Aaron Boone a weapon he’s sorely lacked: a dominant left-handed reliever who can come in during high-leverage situations.

The biggest question surrounding Crochet is his health. Injuries have limited his innings over the past couple of seasons, and the young left-hander is still working to refine his control and consistency. However, his stuff is undeniable, and even a slightly more refined version of Crochet could be a game-changer in a bullpen that has been inconsistent at times. This potential makes him an intriguing piece for the Yankees to target in the offseason.

The Yankees’ Pitching Needs

The New York Yankees are entering the 2024 season with one major priority: to retool and strengthen a roster that fell short of expectations in 2023. While the Yankees’ offense remains potent with stars like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Anthony Rizzo, their pitching staff is in need of reinforcements, particularly in the bullpen.

Over the past few seasons, New York has struggled to find consistent relief pitching, especially from the left side. While the Yankees have had some success with left-handed pitchers like Wandy Peralta, they have lacked a true weapon out of the pen who can dominate both right- and left-handed hitters. Adding Garrett Crochet could be the key to solidifying the Yankees’ bullpen and giving them the reliable left-handed option they’ve long desired.

In addition, the Yankees could use a pitcher like Crochet who could not only contribute to the bullpen but also have the ability to step into a starting role if necessary. Crochet’s upside as a potential starter, even though he has primarily worked out of the bullpen for the White Sox, offers the Yankees flexibility in case of injury or underperformance from their existing starters. If Cashman and the Yankees can manage to acquire Crochet, they would not only improve their bullpen but also provide added depth and flexibility for the pitching staff as a whole.

The Brian Cashman Factor

For Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, making a trade for Garrett Crochet would be part of his ongoing strategy to keep the Yankees competitive while also building for the future. Cashman is no stranger to high-profile acquisitions, and his ability to identify young talent that can contribute immediately has been a hallmark of his tenure as general manager. Adding Crochet to the fold would be a significant move in furthering the team’s pitching depth and improving an area that has been a consistent source of frustration for the Yankees in recent years.

Cashman is also known for his patience in negotiations and his willingness to make bold moves when necessary. While acquiring a player like Crochet would come with its risks—namely, his injury history and inconsistency—Cashman has proven time and again that he’s willing to take calculated risks if it means improving the team’s chances for a championship. In many ways, acquiring Crochet would mirror some of Cashman’s past moves: trading for high-upside talent with a bit of uncertainty but with the potential to pay off significantly.

The key to winning the Garrett Crochet sweepstakes, however, will be Cashman’s ability to strike the right balance in the trade market. While the Yankees have the prospects to potentially make a deal with the White Sox, Cashman will need to offer enough value to persuade Chicago to part with the young arm. The White Sox are reportedly looking to rebuild, which means they may be willing to trade some of their more valuable assets, like Crochet, in exchange for a strong package of young talent and controllable players.

What Would the Yankees Have to Give Up?

If the Yankees are serious about acquiring Garrett Crochet, they will likely have to part with a combination of prospects and possibly major league-ready players. The White Sox, looking to retool for the future, will likely want a package that includes both upside and control. As a result, the Yankees could offer players such as top prospects like pitcher Drew Thorpe or shortstop Trey Sweeney, both of whom are highly regarded within the organization.

In addition, the Yankees may consider offering a major league-ready piece that could help the White Sox in the short term, such as a player like outfielder Everson Pereira or infielder Oswald Peraza, both of whom have been mentioned in trade rumors in recent seasons. The challenge for Cashman will be to determine how much he is willing to give up for a player with as much upside as Crochet but also a degree of injury risk.

Conclusion

Garrett Crochet represents one of the most intriguing young pitchers on the trade market this offseason, and the New York Yankees are well-positioned to make a serious push to acquire him. As general manager Brian Cashman looks to solidify the team’s pitching staff, adding a left-handed weapon like Crochet would be a significant move, especially given the team’s need for bullpen reinforcements. While injuries and inconsistency remain concerns, Crochet’s potential to dominate hitters with his electric stuff could make him an invaluable asset for the Yankees.

If Cashman can strike a deal with the Chicago White Sox, the Yankees would not only add a high-upside pitcher to their bullpen but also gain the flexibility they need for the 2024 season. As the offseason progresses and the trade talks heat up, the Yankees’ pursuit of Garrett Crochet could be one of the most consequential moves in the MLB landscape, potentially giving New York the edge it needs to compete for a World Series title in the coming years.