3 trade packages that the Brewers could put together to acquire Garrett Crochet

The Brewers have a need in the starting rotation. That much is quite clear. How they address that need is yet to be determined but there are a couple of logical directions Milwaukee's front office could go.

One of those directions would be to acquire Garrett Crochet from the White Sox. Jeff Passan reported that the White Sox are willing to deal Crochet and named the Brewers as a great fit for him. He's electric, as described by manager Pat Murphy prior to his recent start against the Crew, and Murphy was asking reporters about how many years of control he had left.

The 24 year old Crochet has two and a half years of team control remaining, for the record, and his 3.49 ERA plus a 0.93 WHIP makes him a hot commodity on the trade market that would command a big return.

However, working against the asking price for Crochet is his past. Crochet missed all of 2022 with Tommy John surgery and pitched just 12.2 IP last year due to injury. This year is Crochet's first extended look in the rotation and he's already set a career high in innings. The injury history and lack of a track record will dampen the prospect package in return a little bit, but the White Sox will still command a high price.

The Brewers have the farm system to be able to pay that price. Whether or not they're willing to pay that price is a different story. Here are what a couple of Brewers trade packages for Crochet could look like.

Trade Package #1: Garrett Crochet to the Brewers for 3B Brock Wilken, OF Joey Wiemer, SS Freddy Zamora, and RHP Tyler Woessner

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the White Sox would require at least one position player prospect with significant upside in order to move Crochet. Brock Wilken would certainly qualify as that high upside position player prospect.

Last year's first round pick is already up in Double-A and is a potential 40 homer threat at maturity in the big leagues. Wilken could be a starting third baseman for years to come that will anchor a lineup. The White Sox have Yoan Moncada at third base, who is currently on the IL with a strained adductor. Moncada has a $25MM club option for 2025 that is likely to be declined at this rate. Wilken could be the cornerstone of a young White Sox club next year.

Joey Wiemer finds himself on the outside looking in on the Brewers outfield puzzle. With a strong performance from Blake Perkins this year, the presence of Jackson Chourio, plus the upcoming return of Garrett Mitchell, there aren't many ABs for Wiemer to get in Milwaukee. He's a former top 100 prospect that could get the regular playing time he needs to reach his offensive potential and the White Sox would be able to have the patience to give him those ABs and dream on his upside.

Freddy Zamora is a near-big league ready shortstop, who's up at Triple-A Nashville. He was a second round pick in 2020 and has progressed slowly but has shown signs of improvement this season. The White Sox are prioritizing upper minors and near-MLB position players and Zamora fits the bill. He could earn a spot in that White Sox infield instead of an uphill climb in a crowded Brewers infield picture.

Tyler Woessner finishes out this prospect package. Even though the White Sox want a package led by a position player, most trades for a starting pitcher involve at least one pitcher going back in return. In this proposal, Tyler Woessner is the guy. He flew through Double-A Biloxi and is up in Triple-A, meaning he's close to contributing at the big league level. He has a 5.56 ERA across two levels with 49 Ks in 43.2 IP.

Trade Package #3: Garrett Crochet and Erick Fedde to the Brewers for 1B Tyler Black, 3B Brock Wilken, and RHP Bradley Blalock

The Brewers definitely need at least one starting pitcher at the Trade Deadline. The argument could be made that they need two of them. Why not get both of them in the same deal? The White Sox have a couple different starters that will be available and of interest to the Brewers. Erick Fedde is one of those arms that also is a logical trade target.

By packaging Crochet and Fedde together, the White Sox can massively improve the prospect package they get in return. In this proposal, they are able to snare both Tyler Black and Brock Wilken from the Brewers as the high upside position players they are seeking.

The Brewers may be hesitant at the idea of parting with both of their top corner infield prospects. Finding a long term solution at both first and third base has been a struggle for Milwaukee for years. Departing with their best long-term options to solve those positions would be a tough pill to swallow. But it would help get them two and a half years of an electric starter in Crochet and a very serviceable veteran in Fedde, who's under control for a year and a half. Fedde will make a modest $7.5MM salary in 2025.

Fedde's career year and extra year of control would help him warrant a sizable return and Crochet warrants a large return on his own. Together, it's going to cost any team to get them.

On top of those top position players on the move, Bradley Blalock is also included in this deal. He gives the White Sox a near-MLB starter that they could plug in very quickly and clears a 40 man roster spot for the incoming pitchers. The Brewers called Blalock up earlier this year but didn't get him into a game before sending him back to Double-A.

The Brewers can solve their rotation woes with this trade. While the hit to the corner infield depth will hurt, Wes Clarke, Mike Boeve, Luke Adams, and Eric Bitonti would remain in the organization that could take up the mantle of being the long-term answer at the corner infield spots.