Reds Rumors: Cincy officially in the running to land top blockbuster trade target

The MLB Winter Meetings have yet to begin, but the Cincinnati Reds are already rumored to be involved in trade talks for one of the best pitchers on the market. According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Reds are among the viable candidates to acquire Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet. Morosi also noted that the Chicago Cubs are in the mix as well.

Crochet was an All-Star in 2024 and was one of the most coveted pitchers at the MLB trade deadline last season. Talks of a contract extension derailed any and all trade talks last summer, but Crochet is seen as one of the best pitchers available this winter.

Reds Rumors: Cincy linked to Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet

Crochet went 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA last season. The southpaw struck out 209 batters in less than 150 innings pitched and was among the best in baseball in both strikeout rate and walk rate according to Baseball Savant.

The Reds already traded for a starting pitcher earlier this offseason after swapping Jonathan India and Joey Wiemer for Brady Singer. Singer is expected to operate as a backend starter behind the likes of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott. The Reds also have Nick Martinez after the veteran agreed to sign the qualifying offer earlier this month.

But adding Crochet would put Cincinnati's rotation among the best in Major League Baseball. The White Sox ace has two years of team control remaining, meaning that he won't become a free agent until after the 2026 season. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Crochet is expected to take home just $2.9 million through the arbitration process. That's highway robbery for a player with Crochet's numbers.

There have been lingering concerns regarding the left-hander's health, but Crochet put those worries to bed last season. Crochet made 32 starts after logging just 13 relief appearances in 2023.

These latest Reds rumors will be followed quite closely with the MLB Winter Meetings beginning next week in Dallas, Texas. Next to free agent outfielder Juan Soto, Crochet might be the biggest name to change addresses next week.

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