The Philadelphia Phillies are undoubtedly a bigger MLB market than they were a decade ago. Much credit goes to the Phillies ownership group for surrounding stars around Bryce Harper and Aaron Nola to build a top team in Major League Baseball.
What comes with the bigger market is the national spotlight and the pouring in of fans excited to watch their favorite franchise chase a title. The Phillies have filled the seats, given fans October chases and now the expectation of competing year after year.
The Los Angeles Dodgers proved in 2024 that no matter how much star power you have on a roster, you can always add more. It now appears that baseball's heaviest hitters could go into a frenzy via the free agent or trade market, all to reload and hopefully top the Dodgers.
The Phillies are no different. Change can go a long way for a team that has hit the same bump each postseason in the last three years. Somebody they have been linked to for months now, may not be available anymore.
After not being included in a list of likely destinations, are the Phillies already out on a Garrett Crochet trade?
Left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet was one bright spot on the Chicago White Sox. If there was ever a rebuild team willing to sell in the modern era, the "South Side" would be it.
The Phillies were negotiating for Crochet at the trade deadline, but rumors of Chicago requesting rising star Andrew Painter as part of the deal ultimately stalled further negotiations. According to a recent report by Jim Bowden of The Athletic, multiple executives believe the 25-year-old lefty could end up with the Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles as his most likely destinations (subscription required).
Somehow, the Phillies were nowhere to be found.
It is notable to say that the teams listed have possibly more to prove than the Phillies next season. The Red Sox already held a meeting with prized free agent Soto and a starting pitcher is a major need for them.
If the Phillies can get a deal done that hopefully wouldn't include Painter, Garrett Crochet would be a perfect piece to fall into place in this rotation. They could have gotten Crochet at the deadline if they had pulled the trigger. It's surprising to see the Phillies not listed as a team to go for a big trade for the front-line starter knowing they have the resources to seal the deal.
Crochet has a five-pitch mix, with mid-90s velocity on the fastball and a career 3.29 ERA. He was an All-Star and won AL Comeback Player of the Year in 2024. He certainly has worth, and the two years of control left makes him that much more valuable. If the Phillies want him, he's there for the taking.