A trade between the Red Sox and the White Sox involving Garrett Crochet is likely to lead to a repeat of Chris Sale

One of the biggest surprises of the 2024 MLB season was Garrett Crochet’s smooth transition from the bullpen to the starting lineup.

He looked as dominant as anyone could have hoped, and the Chicago White Sox offered him on the transfer market like he was the biggest and best bait in the world.

MLB insider Jon Heyman seems to believe that all of Chicago’s shopping sprees will result in him being traded.

“Two more years of control, so the price is understandably high. Chances of a change: 4-5 in favor (56 percent),” Heyman wrote about Garrett Crochet.

The Boston Red Sox have often signed left-handed hitters from the White Sox. They did so eight years ago when they made a deal to sign Chris Sale that eventually led them to the World Series. They could try the same thing with the signing of Garrett Crochet before the trade deadline.

Crochet has been an ace in 19 starts this season, posting a 3.08 ERA in 105.1 innings while striking out 146 hitters. His potential is limitless.

He has two seasons left on his contract, making him significantly more expensive than a loan move. Many are speculating that if Crochet does move, he will want to sign a long-term deal to provide himself with some safety net as he continues to beat his career-best innings this season.

This is the kind of deal that would make your jaw drop. The Red Sox would be sending three of their top-10 prospects to the Windy City to get Crochet. They may have to add another player later, but that is yet to be determined.

The Red Sox can do this for several reasons. They can keep their three big-time young talents: Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony and Kyle Teel. These three are more valuable to the Red Sox than the rest of their farm system. They would also be signing a young star who wants to extend his contract for the next five, six or seven seasons with the team. It’s much more than a rental.

Bleis and Zanetello are the two that would really pique Chicago’s interest in this deal. Chicago wants the young, developmental talent, and neither is yet 21 years old. Bleis is struggling in 2024, hitting .229/.313/.361 in two minors. Zanetello is also struggling, hitting .207/.327/.371 in Low-A. But the White Sox wouldn’t want them for what they are now. They would want them for the high potential they could have in five years.

Gonzalez has an ERA of 4.17 in his professional career. In 354.1 innings, the right-hander allows a batting average of almost .200 and dominates with over 450 strikeouts.

The Red Sox need to make a move like this to narrow the gap to the AL East. A month ago, they had almost no chance of catching up. Now, their window of opportunity has turned into a door.