Especially in a league that includes the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who will undoubtedly spend money to enhance their squad and position themselves to repeat.
One method to do this is to improve their starting rotation, which the squad is already considering.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, no already-employed athlete was more sought after at these GM meetings than Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet, who struck out 209 batters in 146 innings and earned only $800,000 last season. The White Sox have openly informed teams that he is available and expect to move him by the end of the winter meetings, with the Philadelphia Phillies and Dodgers being the most active.
Interestingly, the Dodgers are interested in getting Crochet’s services from Chicago.
It’s not difficult to understand why.
Crochet tossed 146 innings in 2024, the most in his career. He had a 3.58 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP, striking out 209 batters and walking only 33.
He was a strike-throwing machine for a historically terrible White Sox team, and the prospect of his leaving for a competitive team appeals to both the player and whichever team is fortunate enough to reach an agreement with Chicago.
The Phillies would almost probably have the top rotation in the league.
Adding Crochet to a squad that already contains Zack Wheeler, Ranger Squarez, and Aaron Nola would immediately elevate the team to the level of, if not higher than, the Dodgers as the favorite to win the NL pennant.
Especially given those players’ ability to keep the Dodgers’ dynamic lineup under control.
Does the team require another bat?
In reality, certainly, but preferably in the outfield. Going after Anthony Santander, an excellent right fielder who hit 44 home runs in 2024, would be a huge “get” for the squad. He would be an upgrade at a key position and add power to the Phillies’ lineup.
Even without him, there’s enough to appreciate about the Phillies and their roster to believe they’d be just as dangerous in the World Series as they were this year.
More so if they can persuade Chicago to part with its fastball-throwing lefty.
