The Boston Red Sox are on the verge of finalizing a trade to acquire left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox, sources told ESPN. This strategic move leverages Boston's deep pool of prospects to secure one of the best starting pitchers available on the trade market.
As part of the deal, the Red Sox will send catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth, and right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez to the White Sox. This exchange highlights Boston's commitment to strengthening their pitching staff by adding top-tier talent. Crochet excelled in his first season in the White Sox's rotation after transitioning from a relief role. The 25-year-old was dominant over 146 innings, striking out 209 batters while issuing only 33 walks. With a fastball that averages 97 mph, complemented by a high-end slider and an effective cutter, Crochet emerged as a frontline starter—the exact type of pitcher the Red Sox need as they look to rebound from a challenging five-year period that saw them finish last in the American League East three times. Initial discussions between the teams explored multiple iterations of the trade, but talks accelerated after Boston's unsuccessful attempts to sign outfielder Juan Soto, left-hander Max Fried, and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. Crochet will join a rotation featuring right-handers Tanner Houck, Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford. With his impressive track record, Crochet is likely to be considered for the Opening Day start, signaling a new era for the Red Sox pitching staff.
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White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who was considered a top trade candidate at the 2024 Trade Deadline, continues to attract significant trade interest from multiple teams. General manager Chris Getz confirmed this interest on Monday, although he noted that the team isn't "heavily motivated" to trade Robert, as reported by Chuck Garfien of the Chicago Sports Network.
Robert, a native of Cuba, has been highly regarded since his impressive debut in the MLB. After finishing second in American League Rookie of the Year Award voting in 2020 and winning a Gold Glove Award that same year, he continued to excel, earning AL All-Star honors and a Silver Slugger Award in 2023. However, the 2024 season proved challenging for Robert. A right hip flexor strain limited him to just 100 games, during which he posted a .224 batting average with 14 home runs, a .657 OPS, and a high 33.2% strikeout rate. Despite these setbacks, Robert's talent and potential continue to make him a highly sought-after player. The White Sox will need to weigh their options carefully as they consider the future of their star center fielder. The Chicago White Sox have reached an agreement with free agent outfielder Mike Tauchman, reports Scott Merkin MLB.com. While the terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed, it is confirmed to be a major league contract, as noted by James Fegan of Sox Machine.
Tauchman, who was non-tendered by the Chicago Cubs last month, brings a wealth of experience to the White Sox. Over his career, he has played for the Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, and most recently, the Cubs. In the 2024 season, Tauchman appeared in 109 games, hitting .248/.357/.366 with seven home runs and a 13.4% walk rate. The White Sox have been looking to bolster their outfield, and Tauchman's signing is a step in that direction. Fans will be eager to see how he fits into the team's plans for the upcoming season. White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet has been a hot topic in trade rumors since last May or June. Although the team held onto him through the trade deadline, he's one of their two major trading chips, alongside center fielder Luis Robert, amid a massive rebuild. But is Crochet guaranteed to be moved this time around? Apparently not.
"There are some teams that are more sincere (aggressive) than others," White Sox general manager Chris Getz said on Monday, as reported by ESPN. "We're still kind of learning. Those conversations will be ongoing. While we're here, we're going to do the best we can for the White Sox, and if that means we make a move, we make a move. But it's OK if we don't." Crochet, 25, had a 6-12 record with a 3.58 ERA (115 ERA+) and a 1.07 WHIP, racking up 209 strikeouts over 146 innings last season. It was his first full season as a starter in the majors, posting a 3.02 ERA in the first half before his workload was adjusted in the second half. He's under team control through 2026. As the White Sox navigate their rebuilding efforts, Crochet's potential trade remains uncertain, with the team's primary goal being to make the best decisions for their long-term success. The trade market for Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet is heating up as the Winter Meetings approach. MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reported on Sunday that a Crochet trade is getting closer and that it is "increasingly possible that he will be moved at the Winter Meetings." After an impressive breakout 2024 season with a 3.58 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 146 innings, it's no surprise that Crochet has garnered significant interest from multiple teams.
At just 25 years old and not slated to hit free agency until after the 2026 season, Crochet has become a highly sought-after asset. Teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Mets, Orioles, Phillies, Padres, and Red Sox have all been linked to Crochet. Recently, the Cubs and Reds have emerged as potential suitors. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported that the Reds are a "real threat" to acquire Crochet, while the Yankees and Red Sox remain in the mix. With such a strong market, it seems likely that Crochet could be wearing a new uniform by Opening Day 2025. The Chicago White Sox have reached an agreement on a minor league deal with free agent outfielder Calvin Mitchell, as reported by Aram Leighton of Just Baseball. Mitchell, who is represented by Sports Management Partners, will be participating in the major league camp as a non-roster invitee next spring.
Calvin Mitchell, who turns 26 in March, has spent parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Pittsburgh Pirates. During his time with the Pirates from 2022 to 2023, he accumulated 237 plate appearances and posted a batting line of .222/.284/.343, with five home runs, 11 doubles, three stolen bases, an 8% walk rate, and a 22.4% strikeout rate. A former No. 50 overall draft pick by the Pirates in 2017, Mitchell spent the 2024 season with the San Diego Padres' Triple-A affiliate, El Paso Chihuahuas. Despite his solid performance in Triple-A, where he hit .277/.359/.512 (114 wRC+), he did not receive a call-up to the majors. This marked Mitchell's fourth season with time in Triple-A, and he has maintained a commendable career batting line of .287/.358/.487 in 1067 plate appearances at that level. Mitchell, a left-handed hitter, has shown a propensity for handling Triple-A pitching, although he has experienced some struggles against left-handed pitchers. In the 2024 season, he recorded impressive numbers against right-handers, hitting .309/.397/.595, but struggled against left-handers, batting just .183/.239/.269 in 114 plate appearances. The White Sox's decision to sign Mitchell adds depth to their outfield options and provides an opportunity for the young player to showcase his abilities during spring training. If Mitchell can continue to develop and address his platoon splits, he could become a valuable asset for the White Sox organization. The Chicago White Sox are set to officially announce their 2025 coaching staff within the next week. According to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times, the club will be retaining most of its incumbent coaches. Among the new additions, first-time manager Will Venable will be joined by bench coach Walker McKinven, whose hiring was previously reported by Venable, as well as director of hitting Ryan Fuller and a yet-to-be-revealed assistant hitting coach.
Returning to the coaching staff are hitting coach Marcus Thames, pitching coach Ethan Katz, assistant pitching coach Matt Wise, first base coach Jason Bourgeois, third base coach Justin Jirschele, and catching coach Drew Butera. Grady Sizemore will also return after serving as Chicago’s interim manager following the firing of Pedro Grifol in early August. However, interim bench coach Doug Sisson and interim assistant hitting coach Mike Gellinger will not be returning to their current roles but are expected to take on other positions within the organization. Despite enduring a challenging 121-loss season, the White Sox have decided not to completely overhaul their coaching staff. It is worth noting that many of these coaches are relatively new to the organization. Thames, Wise, Bourgeois, and Butera were all brought on last offseason, while Jirschele was installed last August following the firing of former third base coach Eddie Rodriguez, along with Grifol and former bench coach Charlie Montoyo. As the White Sox prepare to unveil their 2025 coaching staff, fans will be eager to see how these retained and new faces contribute to the team’s efforts to turn things around in the upcoming season. Much of the focus on the Chicago White Sox's trade efforts this offseason centers around Garrett Crochet, the top starting pitcher readily available on the market. However, heading into the 2024 campaign, it was center fielder Luis Robert Jr. who was seen as Chicago’s potential top prize. Despite his immense talent, a series of injuries derailed Robert’s 2024 season, further cementing his reputation as an injury-prone player.
Trade Prospects and Challenges The White Sox are still hoping to move Robert, as reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today. However, a rival general manager has called the White Sox's asking price for Robert "unrealistic" due to his health concerns. “You’ve got to hope he finally stays healthy and can be the player everyone envisioned all along,” the GM said. “But the White Sox are acting like he’s some big star center fielder and are asking for your top prospects.” Injury History Robert has dealt with a litany of injuries, having been placed on the IL six times since 2021. These injuries have included a hip flexor strain, wrist sprain, MCL sprain, and a viral infection that caused blurred vision and dizziness. The injuries have significantly impacted his playing time and performance. 2024 Season Struggles Robert’s 2024 season was marked by inconsistency. After landing on the injured list early in the season and returning in June, he struggled to regain his form. Despite hitting five home runs in his first 36 plate appearances post-activation, he managed only one other hit in that span. He finished the season with a .225/.281/.370 slash line and a 32% strikeout rate over 396 plate appearances. Previous Success From 2021-2023, Robert showcased his potential, slashing .287/.331/.511 with 63 homers and 37 steals over 1292 plate appearances. His 2023 campaign was particularly impressive, earning him an All-Star selection, a Silver Slugger award, and downballot MVP votes. Despite these achievements, his ability to stay healthy remains a significant concern. Contract and Future Robert is set to earn $15 million in 2025, with $20 million club options for 2026 and 2027. If he can replicate his 2021-2023 performance, this could be a bargain even if he misses time due to injuries. While Robert’s 2024 season had its silver linings, including a rebound in sprint speed and strong defensive range, his high strikeout rate remains an issue. The White Sox must weigh his potential against his injury history as they navigate trade discussions. The Chicago White Sox are adding outfielder Austin Slater to their roster, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The terms of the agreement have yet to be disclosed. Once the deal is finalized, Slater will be included in the club’s 40-man roster, which currently has available space, meaning no additional roster moves are necessary.
Slater, 31, was an eighth-round draft pick by the San Francisco Giants out of Stanford in 2014. Over a decade in the Giants organization, he made his MLB debut in 2017 and played with the team through the 2023 season. In his first three seasons, Slater served as a solid but unspectacular fourth outfielder, posting a combined .254/.335/.368 batting line in 544 plate appearances. While his primary position was outfield, he also occasionally played first base and made brief appearances at second and third base. During the shortened 2020 season, Slater experienced a breakout, boasting a 150 wRC+ and a .282/.408/.506 slash line in 104 plate appearances across 31 games. This offensive surge earned him an expanded role, and from 2021 to 2023, he became a regular against left-handed pitchers. Over these three seasons, Slater maintained a .257/.345/.412 batting line in 343 games, good for a 113 wRC+. Despite frequent injuries, he hit 24 home runs, stole 29 bases, and walked at a 10.5% rate in 838 plate appearances. However, Slater struggled in 2024, batting just .209/.321/.266 (76 wRC+) in 212 plate appearances while playing for the Giants, Reds, and Orioles. Surprisingly, he posted reverse splits, hitting only .188/.310/.231 against lefties, despite previous success against them. Despite these struggles, Slater showed improvement after being traded to the Orioles at the deadline, hitting .246/.342/.333 (102 wRC+) in 79 plate appearances, with a 114 wRC+ against southpaws. As Slater joins the White Sox, the team hopes he can return to form and provide valuable contributions to their outfield. The White Sox announced via Twitter they have claimed OF Peyton Burdick from the Orioles.
To make room, they have placed P Matt Foster on the 6- day IL as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. Burdick has appeared in 46 games the last 2 years with the Marlins, while also playing in AAA. We have a late night trade!
The White Sox trade LHP Aaron Bummer to the Braves for RHP Michael Soroka, LHP Jared Shuster, INF Nicky Lopez, INF Braden Shewmake and minor league RHP Riley Gowens. Bummer is under club control through 2026, pitched in 61 games in 2023 with a 6.79 ERA. 2024 will be his 8th MLB season. The White Sox announced they have picked up Reliever Mike Mayers from the Kansas City Royals.
The 31-year old Veteran has a 6.15 ERA in 6 games this season. |
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