ESPN’s Jesse Rogers recently did a poll of 18 MLB executives and insiders where he asked a plethora of different questions. One of those questions asked where Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet would be traded this winter, if he was traded at all.
Five of the 18 experts predicted he would land with the New York Mets, leading them way over the other top trade destinations.
And it makes sense. The Mets are looking to replace multiple starting pitchers this winter and they can’t add too many aces in free agency. So why not try to acquire an ace in a trade while adding another one through free agency?
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Here’s a trade proposal that would send Crochet to the Big Apple:
- New York Mets receive: LHP Garrett Crochet
- Chicago White Sox receive: OF/1B Ryan Clifford (No. 4 prospect), UTL Ronny Mauricio (No. 6 prospect), SS Boston Baro (No. 16 prospect)
This deal would be centered around two top-ten prospects in New York’s organization: Ryan Clifford and Ronny Mauricio.
Clifford, 21, has clubbed 45 home runs in 269 career pro-ball games. He has elite raw power and he’s ranked in the top ten of a good Mets farm system for a reason.
Mauricio spent time in the big leagues last season where he showed flashes of serious potential. It would be hard for the Mets to get rid of him, but while they’re looking at some big-time talent in free agency, Mauricio may not have an open lane to start in 2025.
Baro is a bit of a lottery ticket prospect. He has a few good tools, like his speed and his hit tool, but he’s about average across the board.
The White Sox are looking to add position players in their farm system. The Mets have a lot of top position players in their system to send in this deal, so some of these names could be interchangeable in the actual deal.
Adding Crochet would be huge for the Mets. This would allow them to sign Juan Soto and still pick up an ace. If they don’t land Soto, they could still land a pitcher like Corbin Burnes or Blake Snell and still have plenty of room for Crochet.
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