White Sox trade rumors tracker: ‘Intense’ demand for Garrett Crochet as deadline day arrives

The Chicago White Sox are in sell mode this summer, a rebuilding team with the worst record in baseball.

They’re seemingly open to dealing just about anyone off the major league roster, whether it’s obvious candidates like Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham or younger players with more control like Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr.

Given that it could be another mass exodus from the South Side, we’ll be keeping tabs on the biggest White Sox trade rumors between now and the trade deadline on July 30.

White Sox trade rumors tracker: Demand for Garrett Crochet reportedly ‘intense’ despite questions about availability (July 30)

RUMOR: The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported July 30 that there’s “intense” demand for Crochet, despite the questions about his ability to pitch in the postseason this year. Rosenthal listed six different teams that have expressed interest, to varying degrees: the Padres, Dodgers, Braves, Phillies, Red Sox and Orioles. The Score’s Bruce Levine reported on that same interest, and USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweeted that the White Sox believe Crochet is likely to be traded before the deadline.

ANALYSIS: Desperation is kicking in, perhaps, as the final hours before the deadline arrive. That’s not to say a team would have to be desperate to express interest in Crochet, as the White Sox’ ace has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball to this point in his first season as a big league starter. But the questions about his availability and the contract-extension requirement that hit national reports last week made a deal somewhat unlikely. But as the ability for teams to add to their championship chases in this midseason arms race shrinks, here, maybe, is an increase to the chances Crochet is wearing a different uniform Wednesday.

Any optimism on the White Sox’ part stands in sharp contrast to Chris Getz’s media session Monday, when the first-year general manager revealed he was “surprised” and “taken aback” by Crochet’s extension demand – a requirement that he get a contract extension as health and financial insurance if he’s to extend his season into October for any team acquiring him in a trade – going public. He went as far to call it “hurtful” and said it created more questions in trade conversations with other teams, even though he said it was tough to tell what effect it would have on the ultimate outcome.

While it seemed as if Getz might have had a hard time finding a team willing to cough up the kind of prospect haul he’s looking for – given that a team might not want to pay such a price for a player, even one of Crochet’s caliber, that it couldn’t use to win a World Series this year – both Rosenthal and Levine wrote of an approach where any team acquiring Crochet might try to work something out with the pitcher’s camp.

Indeed, the opportunity to land such a talent is a unique one, and Crochet’s two seasons of control past the end of this one should make him more attractive, as someone who can sit at the top of a rotation for the next two and a half years. But the extension issue is a unique one for this time of year, forcing speculation that a deal might be easier to complete this offseason. The idea, though, of Crochet starring in some role – though he’s also expressed he has no interest in moving back to the bullpen, however briefly – in a championship chase might prove too tantalizing to pass up.

White Sox trade rumors: Mets considering trading for South Side relievers (July 29)

RUMOR: The Athletic’s Tim Britton and Will Sammon reported July 29 that the Mets have discussed White Sox reliever John Brebbia as a potential target to bolster their bullpen. The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reported the same day that the Mets are among multiple teams who have talked with the White Sox about reliever Tanner Banks.

ANALYSIS: Brebbia and Banks have seemed like the type of player the White Sox could move in less splashy deals than the hypothetical ones involving Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr. that have dominated headlines. Both have proven to be effective major league relievers, the kind of thing contending teams typically carve at the trade deadline.

Brebbia has actually been mostly fantastic since the start of the summer, one of the best relief pitchers in baseball, with a stretch of allowing just two runs across a 20-appearance stretch from the beginning of June through the middle of July. Of course, White Sox fans would be excused for scratching their head over that assessment, as Brebbia has been tagged for blown saves in two of his last three appearances, giving up eight runs in his last five outings to balloon his season ERA toward 6.00. That rough patch includes a game-winning grand slam allowed to Bobby Witt Jr. that extended the White Sox’ losing streak to a franchise-record-matching 15 straight defeats. But all told, Brebbia figures to be the White Sox’ most attractive reliever after Michael Kopech was traded away Monday.

Similarly, Banks has had his ugly moments during an overall ugly season for his team, but he’s proven reliable and owns a 4.13 ERA that was below 4.00 as recently as early July. He’s already set a new career high in appearances this season, with 41 of them, adding to his track record of someone who his manager can call on.

The White Sox, perhaps, shouldn’t be expected to net too much in a trade for either relief arm, though return packages for relievers have been high, at times, in the run up to this specific deadline. But anything Chris Getz can get in his quest to add young talent to the farm system is helpful to his long-term rebuilding project.

White Sox trade rumors: Cardinals pursuit of Erick Fedde reportedly includes three-team talks with Dodgers (July 29)

RUMOR: The Cardinals, who were previously reported to have “strong interest” in Erick Fedde, continue to pursue the White Sox’ right-hander, with the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reporting July 29 that their push has gained “some momentum.” That came the morning after Houston TV sports anchor Ari Alexander tweeted that the Cardinals have discussed an idea for a three-team trade that included the Dodgers and would land Fedde in St. Louis.

ANALYSIS: The Cardinals have been consistently mentioned as a team chasing Fedde as they look to capture a playoff spot after missing the postseason last year for the first time since 2018. And if their own offers to Chris Getz haven’t gotten them anywhere – Sox Machine’s James Fegan reported the White Sox have tried to get former highly ranked prospect Jordan Walker from the Birds – then turning to another team to help beef up the package going back to the South Side makes sense. But regardless of whether or not the Dodgers, who in this case are said to covet Cardinals outfielder Tommy Edman, stay in the picture, it seems the Cardinals aren’t giving up on acquiring Fedde.

These reports all mushed together could paint something of a picture of what Getz & Co. are looking for if they’re going to part with Fedde, who they inked to an affordable two-year contract in the offseason. Fedde has pitched at an All-Star level this season, even if he wasn’t named to the All-Star team, and with that extra year of control, it makes sense that the White Sox would be looking for something big in return. Fedde, too, could wind up being the front office’s best opportunity to cash in at this deadline if they’re unable to find a match for Garrett Crochet or Luis Robert Jr.

It also makes sense, though, that teams might not want to part with players they once deemed or currently deem to be massive parts of their futures, especially a team like the Cardinals, who if the season ended today would be outside the playoff picture.

White Sox trade rumors: Braves reportedly among teams considering trading for Garrett Crochet (July 29)

RUMOR: The New York Post’s Jon Heyman tweeted July 29 that the Braves can be added to the list of teams looking into mounting an offer for Garrett Crochet.

ANALYSIS: Most of the conversation about potential Crochet landing spots has focused on the Dodgers and Yankees, two teams with seemingly high desperation to put themselves in the best position for October success. The Dodgers, of course, spent a gajillion dollars in the offseason to build a super roster, and bulking up further at the deadline would work toward ensuring those big bets pay off. Meanwhile, the Yankees are looking to avenge a rare playoff-less season and are in an expected fight for the AL East crown.

But the Braves are struggling to meet their own sky-high expectations, trailing an excellent Phillies team in the NL East. They have received some sensational starting-pitching performances this season, with surprise renaissances for former White Sox arms Chris Sale and Reynaldo López, but injuries have taken their toll, López in the middle of an injury scare at the moment. So it makes plenty of success they’d be looking for more pitching certainty.

Crochet and certainty haven’t exactly gone together, and the mystery surrounding what he’d be able to do for a contending team – he’s reported to be demanding a contract extension to even pitch in October – has made a deal seem somewhat unlikely. But the trade deadline is often fueled by the desperation of contenders to chase a championship, and if the Braves – who Chris Getz made a pair of trades with during the offseason – can muster a big offer, maybe a deal becomes more likely.

White Sox trade rumors: Dodgers reportedly ‘unfazed’ by Garrett Crochet extension requirement (July 28)

RUMOR: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported July 28 that the Dodgers, who have long been reported to be interested in trading for Crochet, are “unfazed” by the big lefty’s supposed demand that any team acquiring him in a trade sign him to a contract extension if he’s expected to pitch in the postseason. Nightengale added that the Dodgers “wonder if it’s nothing more than a negotiating ploy.”

ANALYSIS: There seemed to be plenty working against a Crochet trade being likely before reports of the supposed demand for a contract extension hit the internet last week. Chiefly, would any team match the White Sox’ valuation of Crochet as a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher if they could use him, at best, as a hybrid starter/reliever in a chase for a championship this season? Throw in the desire to be extended in order to be used in such a chase and an unwillingness to move back to the bullpen – things, by the way, that seemed to receive pretty universal support from outside observers – and it would seem mighty difficult for Chris Getz to find a taker.

But the Dodgers are a team that’s long made sense as a landing spot for Crochet this summer, not just because of their need for pitching – and last year’s experience, when their cobbled-together rotation was beat up in a first-round playoff exit – but because they would be understandably desperate to make sure their outrageous offseason activity pays off in the form of a World Series title. Spending huge on the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Teoscar Hernandez and Tyler Glasnow was a bet on a 2024 championship. Crochet, in any role, would further bolster their chances of those big bets paying off.

Crochet, though, has been insistent that a starter’s schedule is far better for his health than the life of a reliever. And if the Dodgers make another bet – that an unwillingness to go to the bullpen or pitch past the end of the regular season without a new deal is just bluster – there could be some ugly outcomes. Like what happens if Crochet isn’t bluffing? And what happens if he does play – as Nightengale contends could be a possibility, Crochet not wanting to disappoint Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, apparently – and he turns out to be right, a role reversal having the negative effects on his health he feared? Then the Dodgers just gave up what’s expected to be a huge prospect package in return for either an unusable pitcher or an injured one.

That’s a lot of “ifs,” obviously, and Crochet has pitched so well this season that such an ask from Getz would seem reasonable. But given those risks, would any team be willing to meet it? The Dodgers, hungry to return to the top of the sport, just might.

[MORE SOX: Garrett Crochet has ‘no comment’ on reported extension requirement]

White Sox trade rumors: List of Erick Fedde suitors reportedly grows to include Astros, Brewers, but not AL Central rivals (July 28)

RUMOR: A number of teams have been reported to have interest in Erick Fedde, with Yahoo’s Russell Dorsey mentioning the Astros, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal mentioning the Brewers and the New York Post’s Joel Sherman mentioning the Mets. This growing the list after the Cardinals were reported as interested earlier this month. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale added July 28, though, that the list of potential suitors will only grow so far, with the White Sox preferring not to trade Fedde to division rivals like the Guardians or Twins.

ANALYSIS: It makes perfect sense that there would be widespread interest in Fedde, who has been excellent in following up an MVP season pitching in Korea. He’s ranked among the most valuable starting pitchers in baseball all season, and he’s on a relatively affordable deal that keeps him under club control through next season. In fact, interest in Fedde could perhaps be expected to be even higher than it might have been otherwise now that a trade for Garrett Crochet seems less likely than initially believed.

It also makes sense that the White Sox would rather not trade with their division rivals, preferring not to boost those teams’ fortunes. At the same time, though, Fedde’s lone year of control past this one would only ensure him a hypothetical spot on another AL Central team through a 2025 season in which the White Sox are again not expected to field a contender. Things could change, and wouldn’t it be painful should the South Siders surprise their way into the division race next year only to be stymied by a player they dealt away? But still, at this early stage of Chris Getz’s rebuilding project, perhaps anyone offering to boost the team’s long-term fortunes should be considered as a trade partner. Not that the Guardians or Twins have been reported as offering the most alluring package – and a preference to avoid trading with them is not the same as an ironclad rule – but if that were the case, the White Sox are in no position to turn that sort of offer, wherever it comes from, down.

White Sox trade rumors: Reports highlighting Garrett Crochet availability questions cast trade as difficult (July 25)

RUMOR: The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Patrick Mooney and Will Sammon reported July 25 that concerns about Garrett Crochet’s ability to pitch in October are “mounting” among potential buyers who would want to use Crochet to chase a championship this season. The report confirmed what the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported the same day, that Crochet desires a contract extension from any acquiring team before he would agree to pitch in the postseason and that Crochet prefers to stay in a starter’s role and has no interest in moving back to the bullpen or interrupting his current five-day routine.

ANALYSIS: Certainly, these general topics are nothing new to White Sox fans and followers, who have made this part of the conversation surrounding a possible Crochet trade for some time. And it’s no shock to hear that Crochet has no interest in moving back to the bullpen, however briefly, given the confidence in his ability to be a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher he’s displayed since the spring. But now the doubt that a deal could get done has made it to the national reporters, who are obviously reporting on all 30 teams and getting plenty of non-White Sox perspectives.

The idea that a team trading for Crochet this season would want him to be part of a chase for a championship this season is beyond reasonable, and the workload questions that have accompanied Crochet’s transition from relatively inexperienced reliever to No. 1 starting pitcher have only amplified as his All-Star season has moved along. Now, they could prevent Chris Getz from cashing in on a rare opportunity to infuse his long-term rebuilding project with young talent. Without a guarantee that Crochet would serve them as a No. 1 starter — or as anything — it stands to be asked: Why would a team part with that kind of talent to match what’s assumed to be a steep asking price for the big lefty? Though the White Sox, rightfully, given what they’ve seen from him this season, likely value Crochet as one of the top starting pitchers in the sport, another team might not share that valuation if he’s not going to be that for them down the stretch this season.

Crochet, according to reports, is the one desiring an extension from any acquiring team, giving him insurance should him stretching his first season as a big league starter into the fall result in negative health effects. Of course, to this point, Crochet has experienced no such effects, even as his workload has jumped from 74 career relief innings to more than 110 innings as a starter this year.

But if an extension is a necessity for Crochet to pitch in the playoffs, that adds further complications to the idea of a trade getting done, even between the White Sox and a team desperate to add pitching for a pennant race. Crochet only has so much power, of course, and he cannot stop a trade from happening. But certainly a team trading for Crochet would want guarantees that he would be part of their championship push before parting with the kind of talent it would take to get the White Sox to agree to a deal.

It all adds more specifics to the notion that Crochet could very well be wearing a White Sox uniform on July 31.

White Sox trade rumors: Cardinals reportedly have ‘strong interest’ in Erick Fedde (July 21)

RUMOR: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported July 21 that the Cardinals, second place in the NL Central race and among a ton of bunched-up NL teams competing for a trio of wild-card spots, have “strong interest” in Erick Fedde, who has shone for the White Sox this season.

ANALYSIS: Fedde has been fantastic in the first year of a two-year free-agent deal he signed over the winter, when he was Chris Getz’s biggest offseason addition. After putting together an incredible, career-revitalizing season in Korea, winning the equivalent of MVP honors there, he has answered any and all questions about his ability to replicate such success at the major league level, owning a 2.98 ERA in 117.2 innings of remarkably consistent ball.

Such production figures to make him a popular target before the deadline, and it’s no surprise to hear any contending team would have interest in Fedde, considering how reliable he’s been and how effective he’s been at limiting opposing lineups. Given an extra year of club control past this one, Getz should be able to get a haul of note for someone who currently has the 18th most fWAR of any pitcher in baseball.

It remains to be seen how aggressive any of the teams bunched up in the NL wild-card race will be, as their playoff chances could fluctuate wildly over the next couple months. Pushing the chips in while part of such a crowded race might not seem super worth it to some. The Cardinals boast a pair of top-100 prospects, per MLB.com’s rankings, in Double-A pitchers Tink Hence (No. 41) and Quinn Mathews (No. 97). White Sox fans might be more hopeful for position players coming back in any deal Getz makes this summer, but it’s true that you can never have enough pitching (just ask the Dodgers) and any hypothetical return featuring either arm shouldn’t be scoffed at for a White Sox team in the early stages of a long-term rebuild. Outfielder Victor Scott II and infielder Thomas Saggese, both at Triple-A, are Nos. 3 and 4 on the Cardinals’ prospect list.

White Sox trade rumors: Dodgers have reportedly talked ‘blockbuster’ involving Garrett Crochet, Luis Robert Jr., Michael Kopech (July 21)

RUMOR: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported July 21 that the Dodgers have talked with the White Sox about a “blockbuster” trade idea that would include Garrett Crochet, Luis Robert Jr. and Michael Kopech.

ANALYSIS: With apparently so little out there for buyers to choose from this summer, it makes sense that a team like the Dodgers would be looking for some one-stop shopping. The White Sox boast a decent number of potentially attractive trade pieces, none more interesting than Crochet and Robert, though Kopech counts as an intriguing option, as well.

The Dodgers could sure use the pitching, with their starting rotation somewhat of a shambles thanks to injuries. After going nuts with free-agent spending — and making a big trade for Tyler Glasnow — this past offseason, the Dodgers certainly would like to avoid an outcome like last season’s, when their latest runaway NL West win came to a crashing halt when a depleted pitching staff was mauled by a hot Diamondbacks team. With needs in both the rotation and at the back end of the bullpen, interest in both Crochet and Kopech on the Dodgers’ part is no shock. As for Robert, the Dodgers adding the superstar-caliber center fielder would be in line with the avalanche of high-profile moves they’ve made in the last calendar year in an effort to lock down a World Series win and would reflect a level of desperation to make all those previous moves pay off.

Of course, the asking price in such a trade would figure to be enormous on the White Sox’ part, as Chris Getz is expected to make steep asks for the likes of Crochet and Robert individually. If the Dodgers are thinking of going even more all-in on a 2024 championship than they already have, this would be the kind of move to put them over the top. But if trades involving Crochet and Robert, separately, seem somewhat unlikely due to any team’s ability to match Getz’s price, it would seem even more unlikely that a team would be willing to match both prices simultaneously.

White Sox trade rumors: Team reportedly looking for a ‘bigger package’ than top-75 prospect Spencer Jones (July 21)

RUMOR: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported July 21 that the Yankees are willing, after some apparent hesitation, to include Spencer Jones — their No. 2 prospect and one of the top 75 prospects in baseball, per MLB.com’s rankings — in a deal for a starting pitcher, chiefly Garrett Crochet and Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.

ANALYSIS: The Yankees’ interest in Crochet is hard to pin down, with the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reporting in a span of a couple weeks that the team both “very much liked” the idea of adding Crochet and “are not that into” the big lefty. While this reads like some high-school gossip, Nightengale paints a picture of a more long-term conversation that has seemingly evolved over time.

The Yankees are in a fight with the Orioles at the top of the AL East and are relatively desperate after missing the postseason last year. While they apparently didn’t want to part with Jones when Dylan Cease was available in the winter and spring, perhaps they’ve realized now that the only way to add a top-of-the-rotation arm in a deal with the White Sox is to make Jones the centerpiece.

While Jones would shoot to the top of the White Sox’ list of building-block prospects alongside Colson Montgomery, Edgar Quero and Noah Schultz, it’s not surprising that he wouldn’t be enough, on his own at least, to pry Crochet away from the South Side. Chris Getz is assumed to have a steep asking price for the All-Star pitcher, and he should, considering that Crochet, by some measures, has been the most valuable pitcher in baseball this season. The questions surrounding what exactly Crochet’s workload will look like the remainder of the season are also valid for teams considering a trade, as who knows if what they would give up would be matched by what Crochet can contribute to a chase for a championship this fall.

White Sox trade rumors: Phillies have reportedly ‘shied away’ from pursuit of Tommy Pham (July 21)

RUMOR: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported July 21 that the Phillies have “shied away” from Tommy Pham as they tick potential additions to their outfield off a list of possibilities. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported several days earlier that the Phillies, along with the Royals, were “believed to have interest” in Pham.

ANALYSIS: Pham has seemed obvious to be traded since the moment he joined the White Sox on a minor league deal earlier this season, someone who provides little to no benefit in the long term for a rebuilding team but who has been around the block enough to garner something at the deadline. His numbers haven’t been eye-popping, but he is, statistically, an above-average hitter. That type of production and his turn last year as a difference-maker for a team that reached the World Series should make him somewhat attractive, even as a role player or depth piece.

That the Phillies might have cooled on the idea of adding Pham doesn’t do much to change the idea that he’ll be moved before the deadline, even if not for an overwhelmingly exciting return. The Phillies have been speculated as a potential landing spot for another White Sox outfielder, Luis Robert Jr., so perhaps there’s a bigger fish in mind?

White Sox trade rumors: Padres’ offer for Garrett Crochet ‘quickly dismissed,’ per report (July 14)

RUMOR: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported July 14 that the Padres made the White Sox an offer for All-Star pitcher Garrett Crochet, one that was “quickly dismissed” by the South Siders. Nightengale also wrote that general managers across the sport are uncertain whether there will be a deal made for Crochet prior to the July 30 trade deadline, even though the White Sox “fully intend” to trade the big lefty.

ANALYSIS: While there’s still plenty of time left for offers and conversations to evolve before the deadline at the end of the month, it would not come as a surprise that the White Sox value Crochet differently from other teams.

The left-hander’s success and utter dominance this season cannot be argued with, of course, and he’s been one of the best starting pitchers in baseball in his first season since transitioning from the bullpen. But there continues to be much focus on his workload and just how much — and in what capacity — he could contribute to a team making a run at a championship this year. The White Sox have already publicly discussed their plans to “dwindle” Crochet’s workload after the All-Star break, and he threw just two innings in his final start of the first half.

While the White Sox, rightly, see Crochet as a top-of-the-rotation ace with two and a half years of club control remaining, other teams might value Crochet as more of a future piece than an instantaneous boost in a playoff race — and one whose minimal innings base prior to this season is still generating question marks about what he can do, even as he’s made an incredible leap into All-Star status. Any such discrepancy in value could certainly lower the chances of a deal getting done before the end of the month.

That said, Nightengale also listed seven teams looking for at least one starting pitcher before the deadline. The market tends to dictate everything in these situations, and if there’s enough need, Chris Getz could find some team willing to meet what’s assumed to be a high asking price.

[MORE SOX: In his own words: How Garrett Crochet became an All Star]

White Sox trade rumors: Team reportedly ‘cautiously optimistic’ it can move Luis Robert Jr. before trade deadline (July 14)

RUMOR: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported July 14 that the White Sox are “cautiously optimistic” they’ll be able to trade star center fielder Luis Robert Jr. before the July 30 trade deadline after his lengthy injury absence earlier in the season made them “uncertain” of his trade value.

ANALYSIS: While it should never have been questioned whether Robert, an electrifying talent who turned in an MVP-type season in 2023, would boast a high trade value, it’s understandable that teams across the league would maybe not have met what would figure to be a ridiculously high asking price considering the injury that knocked Robert out for nearly two months. The midsummer trade market has plenty to do with “what have you done for me lately,” and Robert’s latest health-related issue, now behind him, and an accompanying dip in his production from last season’s highs perhaps wouldn’t have placed him as high as he otherwise would be in the minds of many.

But when healthy, Robert is one of the game’s top talents, someone who can hit the ball a million miles, play Gold Glove level defense and steal a ton of bases. His superstar-caliber play paired with three years of club control after 2024 would figure to demand one of the biggest return packages imaginable, and that’s likely what Chris Getz is eyeing, maybe something that could even be compared to the types of packages that went the other way in the two trades for Juan Soto in recent years. Generally, that’s a hard thing to get, and so it’s reasonable to wonder whether any team is willing to do anything like that in the next couple weeks.

According to Nightengale, though, there’s perhaps reason to think it could happen. Robert has looked healthy and productive of late, even if his numbers remain far off from what they were a year ago. That alone could be enough to convince that Robert is worth the asking price — and at the same time infuse a massive amount of potential into the White Sox’ future. While Robert’s long-term control and status as one of the most impactful players in the game make him an obvious player to keep in the minds of many fans, he undoubtedly represents a rare opportunity to Getz to jumpstart his rebuilding project.

White Sox trade rumors: Team reportedly covets top prospect Spencer Jones in any Garrett Crochet deal with Yankees (July 14)

RUMOR: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported July 14 that the White Sox are “insisting” that outfield prospect Spencer Jones is included in the return package in any deal sending Garrett Crochet to the Yankees.

ANALYSIS: This is far from the first time we’ve heard Jones’ name in relation to a potential trade between the White Sox and Yankees, as he was much discussed when rumors pegged the Bronx Bombers as a possible landing spot for Dylan Cease before the season began. Cease, of course, was dealt to the Padres in March, and the Yankees held onto Jones.

But now, with one of the best records in the AL and looking to make a run to the World Series a fall after missing the postseason, could the Yankees finally go all in for a White Sox starting pitcher and cough up Jones? He’s currently ranked as the No. 74 prospect in baseball by MLB.com, one spot behind White Sox catching prospect Edgar Quero on their top-100 list. Jones is a 23-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder whose numbers have dipped from his first two seasons in pro ball. In 2022, the year he was a first-round draft pick, he put up some eye-popping numbers in a very small number of minor league games. Last year, he slashed .267/.336/.444 with 16 homers in 117 games split between High A and Double-A. This year, in 73 games at Double-A, he’s slashing .237/.317/.403 with 10 homers.

Certainly, it’s expected that Chris Getz would be asking for prospects the caliber of Jones in any trade talks involving Crochet, who has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season and would be a relatively long-term addition for any team acquiring him, as he has two years of club control remaining after 2024. The White Sox, if they’re considering trading that away, likely don’t expect to field a contending team soon, so adding as much young, high-quality minor league talent as possible figures to be Priority No. 1. Jones would obviously fall into that category.

But we’ll see how badly the Yankees want Crochet, who the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported they “very much like” the idea of adding, and if they find him to be worth parting with Jones after perhaps not coming to that conclusion regarding Cease.

White Sox trade rumors: Report pegs Luis Robert Jr. as unlikely to leave, predicts ‘robust’ market for Erick Fedde (July 7)

RUMOR: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported July 7 that general managers across the sport are “skeptical” that any team will be able to meet the White Sox’ asking price for center fielder Luis Robert Jr. The same group, though, so said Nightengale, believes the market for Erick Fedde will be “robust.”

ANALYSIS: Fedde has long struck as a wildly underrated trade candidate for the White Sox amid all the talk of Robert and Garrett Crochet – two more electrifying stars – potentially being dealt. Fedde has been one of baseball’s top starters this season, even if he was left off the AL All-Star roster, with a 2.4 fWAR that ranks 16th among the game’s pitchers. He’s answered every question about whether his revamped arsenal could succeed in the majors after dominating in Korea, he’s been extraordinarily consistent, and the year of relatively affordable control remaining on his contract after this one ought to make him an attractive target for any contender seeking starting pitching.

When it comes to Robert potentially not switching jerseys this summer, that makes sense. While Robert spent nearly two months on the injured list earlier this year and has numbers nowhere near what he put up in an MVP-type season in 2023, he’s still proven time and again that he’s one of baseball’s elite talents. Considering he has three years of club control remaining after this season and seems to be far more affordable than other players of his caliber, it’s understandable that Chris Getz would be attempting to land a massive return package in any trade discussion involving his center fielder. And it’s plenty understandable, too, that other teams would be hesitant to meet such an asking price, potentially shifting Robert trade talks to the winter.

White Sox trade rumors: Yankees reportedly among teams interested in trading for Garrett Crochet (July 4)

RUMOR: The New York Post’s Jon Heyman wrote July 4 that the Yankees “very much like” the idea of acquiring Garrett Crochet and counted them among a hefty list of teams interested in the big lefty, including the Dodgers, Orioles, Padres and “most other contenders.”

ANALYSIS: At this point, it’s no surprise that any contending team would be interested in one of baseball’s best starting pitchers, the MLB strikeout leader and fWAR leader among pitchers. Crochet is now an All Star and is as deserving as any of the starting nod in the Midsummer Classic. The Yankees have watched their AL East lead slip away and currently trail the Orioles after going 5-15 in their last 20 games.

What’s interesting about the Yankees as a potential trade partner is whether Chris Getz can land outfield prospect Spencer Jones, who as Heyman brought up was reportedly a target during offseason talks involving Dylan Cease. Getz eventually went with a package the Padres offered, landing highly regarded pitching prospects Drew Thorpe and Jairo Iriarte. Jones, meanwhile, is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Yankees’ organization and the No. 74 prospect in baseball.

Heyman writes, as well, that any team interested in Crochet must face the question of how many more innings he has on his arm this season and in what role he’d be able to help a team chase a championship. The White Sox have already made public that they plan to decrease his workload considering his previous high as a big leaguer is 54.1 and he’s on pace to near 200 this season. What effect that would have on what teams would be willing to part with in a trade is unknown, though surely the White Sox value Crochet as what he’s been for them: a No. 1 starter who’s pitched as one of baseball’s best in 2024.

White Sox trade rumors: Dodgers reportedly still chasing Garrett Crochet, even after offer was rejected (July 1)

RUMOR: As part of a larger look around the game leading up to the trade deadline, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Patrick Mooney and Will Sammon reported July 1 that the Dodgers are “intrigued” by the idea of adding Garrett Crochet to a starting rotation full of question marks. Interestingly, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported a day earlier that the Dodgers have already made an offer to the White Sox for Crochet, one that was “quickly rejected.”

ANALYSIS: After their jaw-droppingly expensive offseason that featured eye-popping contracts for free agents Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Teoscar Hernandez — not to mention a trade for NL strikeout leader Tyler Glasnow — it would make sense that the Dodgers would keep adding in an attempt to do what all that spending was intended to do: win a World Series.

Of course, the Dodgers do a lot of things well besides spending money on free agents, and their farm system was ranked as the eighth-best in baseball by MLB.com back in March, when the same rankings placed the White Sox at No. 20. Those rankings date from prior to the Dylan Cease trade, by the way. So it stands to reason that the Dodgers do have the prospect capital to swing a deal for a headlining trade candidate like Crochet. While the rebuilding White Sox are surely open to adding top talent of any kind to their farm system, it would make sense that they’d be interested in position players, especially, considering the relative bounty of pitching they have in the upper levels of the minor leagues. The Dodgers’ top two prospects, and the only ones who rank in the game’s top 100, fit the bill: Double-A catcher/first baseman Dalton Rushing and Class A outfielder Josue De Paula. Whether or not Crochet would demand that level of prospects remains to be seen.

But there are other big questions surrounding a possible Crochet trade besides whether a team would meet the White Sox’ asking price. Chiefly, it’s how someone who never threw more than 54.1 innings in a big league season prior to this year will fare, physically, over the back half of baseball’s six-month marathon — a marathon that any contending team acquiring Crochet hopes stretches to seven. The White Sox have publicly discussed their plan to “dwindle” Crochet’s workload moving forward, and Rosenthal & Co. mentioned that the Dodgers, for one, would perhaps trade for Crochet first and figure out how he can be deployed in a chase for a championship second. We’ll see if that has any impact on whether or not a Crochet deal gets done or, if it does, what sort of return package Chris Getz’s front office can get.

White Sox trade rumors: Team reportedly intends to move Garrett Crochet (June 30)

RUMOR: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported June 30 that “brief contract-extension talks” between the White Sox and Garrett Crochet produced “no optimism toward reaching an agreement” and that the team intends to trade their best starting pitcher prior to the trade deadline on July 30.

ANALYSIS: While it’s no surprise to see Crochet’s name mentioned as a possible trade candidate, this report added more certainty in the minds of many that the big lefty’s time on the South Side is running out. There’s still the matter of two teams agreeing on a swap, and the White Sox could certainly value Crochet higher than other teams given what they’ve watched this year as he’s blossomed from a relatively inexperienced reliever into one of the best starting pitchers in baseball.

Given the sizable expansion of Crochet’s workload — he’s up to 101.1 innings on the season following Sunday’s start against the Rockies after never throwing more than 54.1 in a big league season prior to 2024 — it’s somewhat of a mystery how much he’ll be able to handle in the second half, and Pedro Grifol talked recently about the White Sox’ plan to “dwindle” Crochet’s workload moving forward. What effect that would have on a team being able to meet Chris Getz’s asking price remains to be seen.

But undoubtedly, Crochet has been nothing short of fantastic for the White Sox this season, leading the majors with 141 strikeouts, owning a 3.02 ERA and as good a choice as there is to be the AL’s starting pitcher in the All-Star Game later this month. It makes sense, then, that there’s been plenty of interest, with Nightengale writing that 15 different teams have contacted the White Sox about Crochet, including the Dodgers, whose offer was “quickly rejected.”

It’s potentially a sad state of affairs for White Sox fans, though, who surely were disheartened to read that contract-extension talks went nowhere with a young pitcher who seems the perfect candidate to rebuild around. Even with Crochet under control for two years past the end of this season, the White Sox seem ready for a lengthy rebuilding project that wouldn’t produce a contender during that span and see an opportunity to bring more talent into the organization. Per Nightengale, the front office is “seeking young prospects with enormous upside,” again perhaps pointing to a long wait for another contending team on the South Side.

White Sox trade rumors: Team reportedly considering waiting to move Luis Robert Jr. (June 30)

RUMOR: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported June 30 that the White Sox have fielded calls from teams inquiring about Luis Robert Jr., who has also been oft-discussed as a trade candidate ahead of the deadline. Nightengale said that due to Robert’s “struggles,” the team is considering keeping him until at least the offseason.

ANALYSIS: Robert has three years of control past the end of this season, even more than fellow trade candidate Garrett Crochet. And Robert’s immense talent means the asking price is most likely even higher than the one for Crochet, as well. But as Nightengale alluded to, Robert’s stock might not be so high at the moment. He missed nearly two months while on the injured list after an early season hip injury, and his overall offensive numbers don’t look anything like what they did a year ago, when he earned MVP consideration with 38 home runs and Gold Glove caliber defense.

Still, the 470-foot homer he crushed in Saturday’s win over the Rockies was a perfect glimpse into what he’s still plenty capable of.

Giving Robert the second half of the season to remind folks of the impact he makes on any given game makes plenty of sense if Chris Getz is looking for the biggest return package imaginable, a haul that could rank among the biggest considering Robert’s talent, affordability and the amount of team control that comes with it. It comes down to finding a team to meet that asking price, perhaps making a deal this summer unlikely.

Much like the conversation surrounding Crochet, that the White Sox are even open to trading Robert says plenty about how lengthy they expect this rebuilding project to last. While obviously, he presents a rare opportunity to stock the farm system with impressive talent, that the team doesn’t expect to be able to utilize an affordable player with superstar potential to help them win between now and the end of the 2027 season says a lot — and none of it good for fans.

White Sox trade rumors: Team reportedly ‘openly shopping’ Andrew Benintendi (June 30)

RUMOR: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported June 30 that the White Sox are “openly shopping” Andrew Benintendi, the struggling outfielder who inked the richest free-agent deal in club history two offseasons ago.

ANALYSIS: The White Sox are in a much different place as a franchise than they were when they signed Benintendi to that deal before the 2023 season, which started with win-now expectations before spiraling into a 101-loss disaster. Now rebuilding, it makes sense they’d want to move away from their expensive commitment to a veteran player. And given their openness to trading even young players with two or three years of control left, such as Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr., it would seem that even a productive Benintendi wouldn’t help a contending club in the three years remaining on his contract after this season.

But Benintendi has been anything but productive during his year and a half in a White Sox uniform. After batting .262 in 2023, he’s been significantly worse in 2024, with a .200 batting average. He has been bothered by injuries, both to his hand (last year) and his Achilles (this year), but he has come nowhere close to not only living up to his contract but living up to his past successes as a major leaguer.

It all figures to mean little to no interest on the trade front this summer, even if the front office is trying to move him.