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Garrett Crochet request: The contract extension and the reason for this demand

Arthur AdlerBy 6 Mins Read
garrett crochet
MLB: Seattle Mariners at Chicago White Sox

Garrett Crochet has been the subject of media attention in recent weeks due to his statements and demands related to his contract and role with the Chicago White Sox. Crochet has demonstrated through the 2024 season an impressive performance on the mound. He has achieved a 6-8 record, a 3.23 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.006, demonstrating his effectiveness in dominating opposing hitters.

Additionally, Garrett Crochet ranks second in Major League Baseball with 160 strikeouts and only 26 bases on balls in 114⅓ innings pitched. This remarkable performance has made him a highly sought-after player, but it has also prompted concerns about his durability and injury risk.

Garrett Crochet’s history of injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2022, has been a significant factor in his current circumstances. Following a period of recovery during which he pitched just 12⅔ innings in 2023, Crochet has significantly reduced his previous workload. His recent success as a starter, as opposed to his previous role as a reliever, has prompted questions about his ability to maintain this level of performance without increasing the risk of further injury.

Furthermore, if he maintains his performances at the current level, the salary terms will also change. For the next two seasons, he is subject to the arbitration system before becoming eligible for free agency. Technically, he has no guaranteed salary for 2025, making Garrett Crochet a risky option.

What is Garrett Crochet’s request?

Garrett Crochet has made it clear that he has ambitious goals for the remainder of the 2024 season and his future in Major League Baseball. However, his specific demands have created a rift with the White Sox and have negatively impacted their trade market.

Crochet, who has demonstrated remarkable performance in his inaugural full season as a starting pitcher, has asserted his expectation of a contract extension as a prerequisite for pitching in the postseason and has declined the possibility of returning to the bullpen.

White Sox management was reluctant to offer Garrett Crochet a new contract for several reasons. First, his injury history and current workload pose a significant risk. Second, the team is in the midst of a rebuild, having sold several key players on the trade market, and investing in a new contract for Crochet may not align with their long-term plans.
Crochet and his representatives immediately sought an extension with a new team, as he has already pitched more innings in 2024 (94 1/3) than the rest of his professional career combined (85 1/3 innings). From 2020 to 2023, he played in both the major and minor leagues, demonstrating a recovery from his injuries and his current form.
The contract signed by Garrett Crochet with the White Sox in 2020 is estimated to be worth $10,000,000, for seven years, with a signing bonus of approximately $4.5 million dollars. The highest salary was initiated in 2023 at $733,000.00 with a subsequent increase through salary arbitration in 2024 at $800,000.00 USD.
There is the potential for increases in the next two salary arbitration seasons, which could reach up to seven figures if the player maintains or improves upon his current performance, through the player’s first free agency in 2027.
Given the increased workload of the current season, Crochet sought additional financial security to mitigate the increased risk of overworking his arm should a new team require him to pitch more innings over the course of the regular season and potentially in October.
Teams interested in acquiring Garrett Crochet services have been also reluctant to offer attractive packages to the White Sox due to concerns about his injury history and current workload. This situation has created a challenging situation for Crochet, with his immediate future uncertain and a strained relationship with team management. Furthermore, the White Sox have been unable to identify a suitable alternative for the player before the trade deadline.

White Sox Management Statement

White Sox management, led by general manager Chris Getz, has expressed surprise and disappointment at the manner in which Crochet’s claims were publicly communicated.

“There had been a very good working relationship between Garrett and myself,” Getz said. “I was surprised and shocked at the way he went about it, given that I spoke to his agent the night before. That is not the strategy I would have selected, given my background as a former player. Despite the sincerity, authenticity, compassion, and career-consciousness of the dialogue, I believe there are more optimal strategies to pursue. I was also taken aback. I was taken aback.”

Getz has emphasized that previous communication with Garrett Crochet‘s camp had been transparent and collaborative, which made the public announcement of his demands particularly unexpected. He has further stated:

“We comprehend the rationale behind this decision. The manner in which we conveyed that information was, to be frank, somewhat uncomfortable. There might have been a more optimal way to proceed that would have achieved the desired outcome.”

The current situation has resulted in further discord between the player and the team, further complicating the negotiations.

Garrett Crochet, for his part, has stated the following:

“I don’t think whether a deal was reached or not depended on whether that was said or not…I think any team would look at the number of innings I pitched last year and find it reasonable, so ultimately I think it was the right decision.”

He further argued that his demands are logical given his circumstances.:

“Anyone can understand where I’m coming from in that sense,” Garrett Crochet said. “I think it may have seemed greedy to some, but those in the industry realize that it’s logical to have that line of thinking.”

Crochet has emphasized in his intentions to protect his career and secure his future, even if it means staying with the White Sox for the rest of the season. Although he has received criticism, especially from fans, Crochet maintains that his actions are justified.

White Sox plans

The White Sox must also have a firm plan to limit Crochet’s workload. Given the challenges the White Sox face this season, it would be prudent to limit his number of innings. This would help ensure the player’s health and future negotiating position.
However, given his current salary and the potential value he could bring to the team in the long run, it seems unlikely that the White Sox will let him go. He has the potential to become a valuable addition to a younger, more dynamic pitching staff and play an instrumental role in the team’s rebuilding process.
The case of Garrett Crochet with the Chicago White Sox is a prime example of how contractual demands and usage expectations can complicate the relationship between a player and his team. While Crochet has legitimate aspirations and has performed impressively in the 2024 season, tensions with management and a lack of attractive offers from other teams have created an uncertain environment.
As the season progresses and winter approaches, it will be interesting to see how his situation evolves and what decisions both Crochet and the White Sox make for the future.

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