The Philadelphia Phillies have secured a playoff bye, allowing them a week to rest their starters. They might be relieved that they only need a four-pitcher rotation, especially considering veteran Taijuan Walker’s struggles this season.
Walker, who joined the Phillies in 2022 on a four-year, $72 million deal, has posted a 7.10 ERA over 83.2 innings this year, causing him to bounce in and out of the rotation. As a result, he may be limited to a relief role in the playoffs or might not pitch again this season.
As the Phillies look to improve their rotation for next year, FanSided’s Christopher Kline proposed trading for Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet to replace Walker, joining Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, and Cristopher Sanchez.
“Imagine Crochet stepping in to fill the significant gap left by Taijuan Walker in Philadelphia’s rotation,” Kline stated. “With four potential 2024 All-Stars and Nola in the mix, the addition of the hard-throwing lefty from Chicago would provide a nice contrast to the right-handed dominance of Wheeler and Nola at the top.”
Crochet has had a breakout season with the White Sox, earning an All-Star selection in his first year as a starter. He appears to be on the trade block as his team undergoes a multi-year rebuild.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, “White Sox starter Garrett Crochet has expressed interest in a long-term contract extension, but the team still plans to trade him this winter, with the Phillies among the interested parties.”
With two years of arbitration eligibility remaining, Crochet’s youth and durability—evident in his 32 starts and 3.58 ERA this season—make him a strong candidate for a long-term deal. A trade followed by an extension with Philadelphia seems plausible, though the Phillies are also expected to focus on improving their outfield and bullpen this offseason.
“This isn’t the first time Crochet’s name has been linked to Philadelphia—it surfaced around the trade deadline—but after Walker’s difficult second half, fans may be more willing to invest in another high-caliber starter, even if addressing the outfield remains the top priority for president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski,” Kline added.
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