The 2024 Chicago White Sox are historically bad. With a 26-67 record going into Tuesday’s games, they are the worst in the American League in both runs scored and allowed. They rank last in the league in walks drawn and walks given, with a -104 differential. They’ve hit just five triples and excel at nothing.
Despite this, they have some of the most coveted players as the trade deadline approaches on July 31. Center fielder Luis Robert, at 26, might be the most sought-after position player available. Additionally, lefty Garrett Crochet and righty Erick Fedde are among the most attractive starting pitchers on the market.
Remarkably, the White Sox have a team ERA of 4.58, even though Crochet and Fedde have made 37 starts and logged 211 2/3 innings with an ERA barely over 3.00. It’s an ugly scene.
Crochet, the team’s 2020 first-round pick, had a rough start but has been a revelation since joining the rotation this spring. Leading the majors in strikeouts with 146, his K (34.8%) and BB (5.5%) rates are elite. Despite his limited innings in previous years, he’s already pitched 105 1/3 innings this season. His fastball, averaging 97.0 mph, is an elite “A+” pitch, while his cutter also grades as an “A”. Improvement on his slider could make him even more formidable. With a 76 ERA- and 56 FIP-, and a 63 “Tru” ERA-, he’s a Cy Young contender with two years of team control remaining after this season.
Fedde, a 2014 first-round pick by the Nationals, struggled in the majors before a stint in Japan. He’s returned with a much-improved K/BB profile and better contact management. Posting a 92 Adjusted Contact Score and 88 “Tru” ERA-, he’s been solid with his mix of average pitches: sinker, cutter, sweeper, and changeup. His current contract, while not as attractive as Crochet’s, is still a bargain considering his performance.
Both pitchers could see a performance boost with a trade, given the White Sox’s poor team defense. Any club acquiring Crochet or Fedde needs to recognize their potential and value accordingly. In a trade market favoring sellers, the White Sox could land multiple future franchise cornerstones by moving these key assets.
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