Reds viewed as 'real threat' to acquire Garrett Crochet while AL contenders lurk

The MLB Winter Meetings officially begin tomorrow, but the rumors are already hot and heavy. Last week, the Cincinnati Reds were loosely linked to Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet. However, as the week went along, reports emerged that Cincinnati's interest had waned following the team's acquisition of Brady Singer.

But on Sunday, Boston Red Sox insider Chris Cotillo of Mass Live is reporting that the Reds are "seen as a real threat to land Crochet." Cotillo mentioned that the Red Sox are on the periphery and have not been aggressive in trade talks. The New York Yankees, however, are also in the mix.

Reds viewed as 'real threat' to acquire Garrett Crochet while Red Sox & Yankees lurk

This would be quite the blockbuster trade on the part of Nick Krall and the Reds. Cincinnati's starting rotation is already viewed favorably by most fans and pundits, but adding Crochet would move the Reds into the elite category.

Adding Crochet to a stable that already includes Hunter Greene, Nick Martinez, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder, and Brady Singer would be quite the formidable starting rotation. Crochet was rumored to be on the move around last year's MLB trade deadline, but nothing ever materialized.

The White Sox traded Dylan Cease last spring and are rumored to be in the market for position players this winter. If the Reds are truly interested in securing Crochet, some of the club's top prospects like Cam Collier, Sal Stewart, and Edwin Arroyo could be part of return package.

With the Winter Meetings getting underway this week, it's quite probably that Crochet is moved before the event wraps up on Thursday. The initial report also linked the Chicago Cubs to the White Sox's southpaw, and there's no shortage of teams who'd be interested in adding Crochet to their starting rotation.

White Sox GM Chris Getz might have his pick of the litter in Dallas this week with numerous clubs looking at Crochet as an alternative to the ludicrous free agent contracts being doled out to starting pitchers. Crochet is estimated to only take home $2.9 million through arbitration in 2025.

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