Rumored starting rotation target from White Sox doesn’t make any sense for Phillies

With the Philadelphia Phillies adamant about obtaining some upgrades to their roster as the trade deadline approaches, an intriguing name keeps popping up that could provide some help to their starting rotation. MLB insider Jon Morosi indicated that Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet has been among the options that the Phillies have discussed.

Just on paper, it appears to be a sound move. After all, Crochet has been having a breakout season with a lowly White Sox team this year.

After previously serving as a reliever throughout his professional baseball career, Crochet was moved into a starter’s role in 2024 and hasn't looked back. Over 21 starts, he has posted a 6-7 record with a 3.07 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, striking out a whopping 157 batters in just 111 1/3 innings. In doing so, he was even named an All-Star for the first time in his career. 

Rumored rotation target from White Sox doesn’t make any sense for Phillies

However, despite his elite performance so far this season, does it make any sense for the Phillies to unload top prospects for Crochet? After all, he doesn’t have a proven track record as a starter, so his current run could just be a flash in the pan. How could the Phillies justify putting their treasured trade chips into something that might end up backfiring? 

Even more worrisome is the fact that Crochet has gone more than five innings only 11 times this year, and more than six innings just three times. He also hasn’t made it past the fourth inning in his past three starts, as the White Sox have been managing his workload.

Prior to 2024, Crochet had logged only 73 total innings, majors and minors combined, across three seasons. This year, he has already surpassed that total by almost 40 innings and counting. As a result, there is a high chance that fatigue will start playing a significant role down the stretch, which could hinder his overall effectiveness. So if the Phillies were planning to add him as a starter, he might eventually need to be unwillingly transitioned back to a reliever due to his potential workload limit.

However, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the 25-year-old left-hander won't pitch in October unless he's given an extension after a trade. He also says he won't move to the bullpen or take a break — presumably, he's referring to a team managing his innings down the stretch.

With the White Sox trying to maximize their return from their most prized assets at the trade deadline, Crochet being one of them, the Phillies should steer clear of Chicago's likely outrageous demand of top prospects for a pitcher who might be sternly restricted with an innings limit going forward.