The Los Angeles Dodgers spent more than $1 billion on improving their roster this offseason, but they’re still looking for more.
According to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez on Saturday, the Dodgers are hoping to add starting pitching before the Major League Baseball trade deadline. They’re also setting their sights high, with Chicago White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet at the top of their list.
According to Gonzalez, “Chicago White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet is considered to be at the top of the Dodgers’ list, regardless of whether he’s a starter or a reliever the rest of the way.” Crochet, a converted starter, has already surpassed 100 innings after throwing no more than 65 in a season dating back to his days at Tennessee. He might be a significant multi-inning member of the Dodgers’ bullpen, but the White Sox will demand a return based on his value as a starter regardless.”
Crochet is likely the best starting pitcher available before the deadline, since he is currently having a breakout season. In 20 starts, he is 6-6 with a 3.02 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 150 strikeouts against 23 walks in 107.1 innings. He leads all MLB pitchers in strikeouts, strikeouts per nine innings, and fWAR (3.9), but ranks second in FIP (2.37) and fourth in WHIP.
Crochet’s main challenge is its durability. Tommy John surgery ended his 2022 season, and he only pitched 12.2 innings in 2023 after his comeback. This is the first full season he has pitched and, as Gonzalez noted, he has already gone 42.1 innings longer than at any point in his career. It’s also worth noting he dealt with arm soreness early during his junior year at Tennessee in 2020 before the season was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Crochet could be ticketed for the bullpen for the rest of the season. He is under team control through the 2026 season, but no one knows how he’ll handle this workload moving forward. He’s risky.
The Dodgers are in first place in the National League West, entering Saturday’s action with a 57–41 record and a seven-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The starting rotation is a mess right now, though. Clayton Kershaw is currently on a minor league rehab assignment, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is on the 60-day IL with shoulder issues, Dustin May is out for the season, Walker Buehler and Tyler Glasnow are both out and Bobby Miller was demoted.
Los Angeles needs starting pitching help, and Crochet is reportedly the big target as the deadline approaches.
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