The Los Angeles Dodgers are always on the lookout for ways to boost their roster, and this offseason, they went all out, dropping over $1 billion to upgrade their lineup. But guess what? They're not stopping there. The latest buzz from ESPN's Alden Gonzalez says the Dodgers are eyeing some fresh starting pitching talent before Major League Baseball's trade deadline hits. And they're setting their sights pretty high.
Here's the scoop: Chicago White Sox's lefty Garrett Crochet is the hot topic on their wishlist. Whether he's slotted in as a starter or reliever, the Dodgers are keen on adding him to their bullpen. As Gonzalez notes, “Chicago White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet is considered to be at the top of the Dodgers' list, regardless of whether he's a starter or a reliever the rest of the way. Crochet, a converted starter, has already topped 100 innings after throwing no more than 65 in a season dating to his days at Tennessee. He could be, at the very least, a key multi-inning member of the Dodgers' bullpen -- but the White Sox will ask for a return based on his value as a starter nonetheless.”
Crochet is having a breakout season that's turning heads all around the league. With 20 starts under his belt, he's sporting a 6-6 record, a solid 3.02 ERA, and a 0.95 WHIP. Not to mention, he's racked up 150 strikeouts against just 23 walks over 107.1 innings. Those numbers put him at the top of the charts for strikeouts, strikeouts per nine innings, and fWAR (3.9). He’s second in FIP (2.37) and fourth in WHIP.
But there's a catch. Crochet's durability has always been a question mark. Tommy John surgery knocked him out for the entire 2022 season, and he only pitched 12.2 innings in 2023 during his recovery. This season marks his first full run, and he’s already pitched 42.1 innings more than ever before in his career. Plus, let’s not forget he had some arm soreness during his junior year at Tennessee back in 2020 before COVID-19 put a halt to the season.
Crochet could very well end up in the bullpen for the remainder of this season. He’s under team control through 2026, but there’s uncertainty about how he’ll handle the increased workload going forward. It's a bit of a gamble, to be honest.
Now, let’s talk about the Dodgers' current situation. They're sitting pretty at the top of the National League West, holding a 57-41 record and enjoying a comfortable seven-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, their starting rotation is in shambles right now. Clayton Kershaw is on a minor league rehab assignment, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is on the 60-day IL with shoulder problems, Dustin May is out for the season, Walker Buehler and Tyler Glasnow are both sidelined, and Bobby Miller got demoted.
Simply put, Los Angeles is desperate for some starting pitching help, and Crochet seems to be their prime target as the trade deadline looms.
If you're following the MLB closely, this is a storyline to watch. The Dodgers making a move for Crochet could shake things up significantly. And if Crochet can stay healthy and maintain his current form, he could be a game-changer for the Dodgers' bullpen or even as a starter.
It's worth keeping an eye on how this develops. Will the Dodgers secure Crochet and bolster their pitching staff for a deep playoff run? Or will they have to look elsewhere to solidify their rotation? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the Dodgers are not afraid to make bold moves to chase another championship.
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