Potential Crochet Trade discussion Thread

[WhiteSox2023]

36 minutes ago, JoeC said:

On some level, it would make sense. Trading for a bounceback candidate who plays a position (pitcher) where the Sox seem to at least not suck at coaching / developing.

That said, Beni's 2nd half to me makes him more valuable than Walker.

Not so sure on that.  It’s a matter of money.  I’d probably take Walker’s contract over Benintendi’s just to get out from under it a year earlier.

Benintendi (3-years, $47.5M)

2025:  $16.5M

2026:  $16.5M

2027:  $14.5M

Walker (2-years, $36M)

2025:  $18.0M

2026:  $18.0M

Edited 3 hours ago by WhiteSox2023

[Chicago White Sox]

JFC Walker was terrible last year (7.12 xERA) and his velocity was also down.  Might be better gambling on Benintendi’s bouncing back that Walker.

[Balta1701]

15 minutes ago, almagest said:

Cease did not pitch like a TOR starter in 2023 and he only really showed that potential in 2022, so no matter how much fans or the White Sox valued him as one, other teams didn't. The Sox got roughly fair value for him - the question now is if they picked the right prospects to fill that value.

This ignores the other option. Cease was back to a >4 WAR pitcher in 2024. His best month of the year was July, and he had a 3.42 ERA at the trade deadline, albeit in San Diego. 

Holding him to the trade deadline should have been an option. 

[WhiteSox2023]

14 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

JFC Walker was terrible last year (7.12 xERA) and his velocity was also down.  Might be better gambling on Benintendi’s bouncing back that Walker.

They are probably both sunk costs at this point.  The Sox are bad the next two years with Benintendi or Walker.  I’d take the guarantee of freeing up $14.5 million in 2027.  Maybe the rest of the team will have improved enough in two years that it would be nice to have that money in the offseason?

Edited 3 hours ago by WhiteSox2023

[Chicago White Sox]

38 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

They are probably both sunk costs at this point.  The Sox are bad the next two years with Benintendi or Walker.  I’d take the guarantee of freeing up $14.5 million in 2027.  Maybe the rest of the team will have improved enough in two years that it would be nice to have that money in the offseason?

I don’t necessarily disagree, but adding Walker requires blocking someone like Bush, Burke, Nastrini, Adams, etc. for a half season.  And honestly, I think that is a double negative whereas Benintendi is really not blocking anyone at the moment and worst case blocks one of DeLoach or Fletcher if were to add an OF or DH.

[almagest]

2 hours ago, Balta1701 said:

This ignores the other option. Cease was back to a >4 WAR pitcher in 2024. His best month of the year was July, and he had a 3.42 ERA at the trade deadline, albeit in San Diego. 

Holding him to the trade deadline should have been an option. 

That’s fair, but the Sox didn’t want to take that chance apparently. Also, not sure how the package would change with a rebound year (though still not 2022 level), but with close to 2/3rds of a season less control.

[bmags]

I read Bowdens article on Crochet market and here are my thoughts:

[Boopa1219]

If I’m trading Crochet,I wouldn’t want anyone over the age of 23 coming back to me in any deal.