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 #2: Garrett Crochet to the Brewers for SS Eric Brown Jr, 1B Wes Clarke, OF Joey Wiemer, 3B Oliver Dunn, RHP Shane Smith, RHP Chad Patrick

Woah that seems like a lot of players to give up, right? Six players for one pitcher is a large return, but it's more along the lines of quantity over quality approach. The White Sox have been willing to accept that kind of return in previous trades as they attempt to deepen their 40 man roster and upper level minors depth.

The Sox traded top reliever Aaron Bummer for five players this offseason, most of whom had high expectations but minimal results and opportunity on a loaded Braves roster. The Brewers could employ a similar approach, shipping out depth pieces to get an electric player like Crochet.

Still, the Sox will need a high upside position player to headline the deal and in this case it's Eric Brown Jr, the Crew's first round pick in 2022. Brown has been slowed by injuries thus far in his career, but when he's on the field, he's a difference maker. His speed, defense, and hitting ability can make him a true top of the order threat at the shortstop position. Brown has upside to dream on and if he can put together a hot stretch in Biloxi, the White Sox could find him very enticing as a headliner.

Following Brown is a couple more young players either in Triple-A or with MLB experience already. Joey Wiemer is included again, and joining him is first baseman Wes Clarke and utility infielder Oliver Dunn. Dunn has lost the third base battle in Milwaukee to Joey Ortiz. The Brewers believed in him enough to send a couple of prospects to Philly for him but now that he's left to battle for utility at-bats, they could flip him to the White Sox where he could get more run in the majors and reach his potential.

Wes Clarke has the power to join a big league lineup soon, but he's blocked at first base by Rhys Hoskins and Jake Bauers in Milwaukee. There's also Tyler Black ahead of him on the organizational depth chart, meaning a path to the majors is tough. In Chicago, the path is much more clear.

Rounding out this quantity package are a pair of pitchers who maybe aren't as highly rated as prospects, but are performing extremely well that the White Sox can utilize in the near future. Patrick is a 25 year old righty starter on the verge of the big leagues. If any more injuries happen to the Brewers before the Trade Deadline, Patrick could get the call himself. The Brewers acquired him for Abraham Toro in the offseason. Patrick could even slot into the White Sox rotation immediately after the deal to replace Crochet.

Shane Smith is one of the pitching lab success stories for Milwaukee. He's moving into more of a starting role in Double-A Biloxi with great success. The 24 year old righty has a 3.30 ERA in 12 games, the last three of which are starts. He's struck out 43 in 30.0 IP with just eight walks. Smith could move quickly up the system soon and a move to the White Sox could put him on more of a fast track.