Mets fans, there's some exciting news regarding the Garrett Crochet sweepstakes that you're going to want to hear about. This update comes as we find ourselves in the heart of winter meetings, specifically on day three, where trade talks are heating up across baseball.
As reported by Ken Rosenthal, the New York Mets are aggressively pursuing Garrett Crochet, a promising 25-year-old ace from the Chicago White Sox. The buzz around his trade market has intensified, but it comes with a caveat—the asking price is quite steep.
According to a recent report from SNY, an MLB executive revealed that a certain team previously interested in Crochet is now out of the running due to the confirmed asking price from the White Sox. Surprisingly, this price starts at three Top 10 prospects, along with potentially an additional lower-tier prospect or an MLB-ready player. This shift begs the question of whether those in charge of the Mets, particularly President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, will reconsider their strategy amid such high demands.
Further complicating matters, the San Diego Padres have begun to shop their star pitcher, Dylan Cease. There’s speculation that the Padres may leverage any return they get from Cease to make a push for Garrett Crochet, adding to the competitive landscape surrounding his potential trade.
Other Potential Suitors
As we assess the competition for Crochet, other teams like the New York Yankees have shown caution as well. With their recent acquisition of Max Fried, they may also withdraw from the Crochet race. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox have indicated they aren't aggressive suitors at the moment, which could narrow down the number of interested teams.
If the Mets find the asking price for Crochet too prohibitive, their options in free agency are growing limited. There’s increasing chatter about a potential reunion with left-hander Shawn Manaya, who may command a contract close to $100 million over four years. This lack of cost-effective free agent options has led to speculation regarding potential trade candidates.
Two intriguing names that have emerged in discussions are Jesus Luzardo of the Miami Marlins and Pablo Lopez of the Minnesota Twins. While there are currently no firm reports suggesting that these players are actively being traded, both teams could shift to a selling mentality, especially as they reassess their rosters.
Lopez, a right-handed pitcher, has made a name for himself with the Twins. Despite his down year in 2024 (4.08 ERA across over 185 innings), his past performance indicates he is a proven workhorse. At just 28 years old, he still has room for growth and is relatively affordable at $21.75 million owed over the next three seasons, which could be viewed as a bargain for pitchers of his caliber.
On the other hand, Jesus Luzardo offers projectability as a left-handed pitcher with a powerful arsenal, including a four-seam fastball, slider, and changeup. However, he has faced injury concerns, managing only 66.2 innings pitched in 2024, leading to a drop in his strikeout rate. Luzardo, aged 26, is also in arbitration for the next two seasons, providing financial flexibility for any acquiring team.
Conclusion
As we stand, the New York Mets have some critical decisions to make regarding their pitching roster. The high asking price for Garrett Crochet has led to discussions around looking for alternatives such as Pablo Lopez and Jesus Luzardo.
Mets fans, how do you feel about the prospect of making a splash for Crochet, or would you rather explore other options? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned as we continue to follow the developments of the offseason. Thank you for engaging with the True Mets Talk podcast, and make sure to subscribe for more updates!
Part 1/7:
Major Update on Garrett Crochet's Trade Market
Mets fans, there's some exciting news regarding the Garrett Crochet sweepstakes that you're going to want to hear about. This update comes as we find ourselves in the heart of winter meetings, specifically on day three, where trade talks are heating up across baseball.
As reported by Ken Rosenthal, the New York Mets are aggressively pursuing Garrett Crochet, a promising 25-year-old ace from the Chicago White Sox. The buzz around his trade market has intensified, but it comes with a caveat—the asking price is quite steep.
The Asking Price for Crochet
Part 2/7:
According to a recent report from SNY, an MLB executive revealed that a certain team previously interested in Crochet is now out of the running due to the confirmed asking price from the White Sox. Surprisingly, this price starts at three Top 10 prospects, along with potentially an additional lower-tier prospect or an MLB-ready player. This shift begs the question of whether those in charge of the Mets, particularly President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, will reconsider their strategy amid such high demands.
Part 3/7:
Further complicating matters, the San Diego Padres have begun to shop their star pitcher, Dylan Cease. There’s speculation that the Padres may leverage any return they get from Cease to make a push for Garrett Crochet, adding to the competitive landscape surrounding his potential trade.
Other Potential Suitors
As we assess the competition for Crochet, other teams like the New York Yankees have shown caution as well. With their recent acquisition of Max Fried, they may also withdraw from the Crochet race. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox have indicated they aren't aggressive suitors at the moment, which could narrow down the number of interested teams.
Limited Options for the Mets
Part 4/7:
If the Mets find the asking price for Crochet too prohibitive, their options in free agency are growing limited. There’s increasing chatter about a potential reunion with left-hander Shawn Manaya, who may command a contract close to $100 million over four years. This lack of cost-effective free agent options has led to speculation regarding potential trade candidates.
Two intriguing names that have emerged in discussions are Jesus Luzardo of the Miami Marlins and Pablo Lopez of the Minnesota Twins. While there are currently no firm reports suggesting that these players are actively being traded, both teams could shift to a selling mentality, especially as they reassess their rosters.
Profiles of Luzardo and Lopez
Pablo Lopez
Part 5/7:
Lopez, a right-handed pitcher, has made a name for himself with the Twins. Despite his down year in 2024 (4.08 ERA across over 185 innings), his past performance indicates he is a proven workhorse. At just 28 years old, he still has room for growth and is relatively affordable at $21.75 million owed over the next three seasons, which could be viewed as a bargain for pitchers of his caliber.
Jesus Luzardo
Part 6/7:
On the other hand, Jesus Luzardo offers projectability as a left-handed pitcher with a powerful arsenal, including a four-seam fastball, slider, and changeup. However, he has faced injury concerns, managing only 66.2 innings pitched in 2024, leading to a drop in his strikeout rate. Luzardo, aged 26, is also in arbitration for the next two seasons, providing financial flexibility for any acquiring team.
Conclusion
As we stand, the New York Mets have some critical decisions to make regarding their pitching roster. The high asking price for Garrett Crochet has led to discussions around looking for alternatives such as Pablo Lopez and Jesus Luzardo.
Part 7/7:
Mets fans, how do you feel about the prospect of making a splash for Crochet, or would you rather explore other options? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned as we continue to follow the developments of the offseason. Thank you for engaging with the True Mets Talk podcast, and make sure to subscribe for more updates!