‘A bit hurtful’: White Sox GM Chris Getz stung by Garrett Crochet taking extension demand public

Not even the guy trying to cash in on Garrett Crochet’s 2024 success disagrees with the big lefty’s insistence on a contract extension if he’s going to pitch in the postseason this year, his first as a major league starter.

But Chris Getz is no fan of the way Crochet’s camp made its stance known, publicly disseminating that information and throwing a potential wrench in the Chicago White Sox’ trade-deadline plans.

It seemed like the White Sox might have had trouble finding a match in a hypothetical Crochet trade anyway in a season where he’s already doubled his previous career innings total and is seeing his workload managed. After all, the lingering questions about how contenders would be able to use him for the remainder of the season meant there might not have been anyone out there willing to meet what’s expected to be a massive asking price for someone who’s arguably been baseball’s best pitcher this year.

But now, after plenty of national reports illustrated Crochet’s demand for a contract extension in exchange for pushing his season into October, a trade seems even less likely, perhaps stripping the White Sox of their best chance to infuse young talent into Getz’s long-term rebuilding project.

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It’s the going public that irked Getz, who expressed his disappointment during a Monday media session.

“The communication had been very strong between Garrett and I and his agency. And I was a little surprised and taken back by how they went about it,” Getz said, “considering I had a conversation with his agent the night before. That’s not exactly the tactic I would have taken, even being a former player, quite honestly. Just because the dialogue had been so honest and real and careful and mindful of his career, because I’ve known him since we got him, I was a little surprised by it, I was.

“I think (to) most fans, and even players, without knowing everything, it makes sense. We understand why a stance would be taken. Now how you go about expressing that is what was a bit hurtful, quite honestly, considering I felt like we could have handled it a little bit differently and still I think everyone (could have) accomplished what they wanted to accomplish.

“Garrett is a very talented arm, he’s just getting his starting career going, and he’s looking out for his long-term well being. We fully understand and support that, and we will continue to do so. The belief we didn’t have his best intentions in mind, I think, was what I was a little surprised by with (in) how it was handled.”

To be clear, this is not in reference to anything Crochet himself has said publicly. He was asked about the reports Friday and offered a “no comment” during a media session in which he touched on the health benefits of a starter’s routine and a desire to not have that routine upended, which were also part of the reports that could impact other teams’ levels of interest. But the information got out there anyway, Getz making it pretty obvious that it came from Crochet’s agency.

As for what kind of effect that demand has had on Getz’s conversations about a possible Crochet trade?

“In regard to how it affects the coming days, tough to tell,” Getz said. “I think it created some questions. Sometimes I’m able to combat some of that, just because of the relationships I have with other clubs. But it definitely created some questions. (The) short-term and long-term consequences are unknown.”

It makes perfect sense that there would be at least questions from any team looking to acquire Crochet. After all, why make a deadline deal at all if what you’re getting can’t help you chase a championship this season?

Who knows how likely it was that Getz would pull off a Crochet blockbuster anyway. But he didn’t hide the fact that he believes the extension demand hurt his chances.

Of course, there’s probably a segment of White Sox fans who are happy about the increased chances of Crochet staying put, perhaps wondering if there’s a long-term contract extension to be worked out that keeps him at the top of the South Side rotation for years to come. Publicly voicing displeasure over the actions of the people you’d be negotiating with doesn’t speak super well to that, but Getz insisted that his relationship with Crochet remains strong.

“Garrett and I are fine,” he said. “We are good. I’ll continue to be one of his top supporters.”

So how about an extension?

“I think that there’s a chance,” Getz said. “He’s still with us right now. He’s a guy that is continuing to become one of the top arms in the game, and we certainly value that. But it also goes back to what’s best for the long-term health of the White Sox. And so we are weighing all those types of things. Right now, we are just focused on making sound decisions.”

So not exactly the most ringing endorsement on that front.

Indeed, given the White Sox’ status as long-term rebuilders, it would figure that Crochet, should he not get traded before Tuesday’s deadline, will be a popular name in trade conversations this winter, as well. He’ll still have two seasons of control, there will be no questions about his role, and there would be no demand for a contract extension – just a desire, perhaps, from teams to give him one. Getz can revisit this opportunity come the offseason and still walk away with a prospect haul that could boost his rebuilding effort.

But for now? Getz might just be left smarting, rather than with a big deadline deal to talk about Tuesday.

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