The Atlanta Braves have been linked to a few of the major free agent and trade targets available all offseason. Willy Adames, who was linked to the Braves, signed a lofty seven-year, $182 million deal with the Giants.
If Atlanta was strongly considered in pursuit of him, they'll have to turn elsewhere for an impact bat now. However, a lot of the focus during the upcoming Winter Meetings will likely be on adding pitching as the Braves have two empty rotation slots to fill.
Garrett Crochet is at the top of the list for trade discussions. Atlanta has long been connected to the flame-throwing southpaw all offseason. However, USA Today's MLB insider Bob Nightengale posted a recent update on rumblings around the league ahead of the Winter Meetings and the Braves' interest in Crochet didn't even warrant a mention.
MLB insider's update on Garrett Crochet may indicate the Braves are out on the flamethrowing lefty
He spoke about the talented White Sox pitcher and mentioned the Phillies, Padres, and Red Sox. However, the Braves were conveniently missing from this list and that could indicate the team has already decided to move on.
Chicago has been reportedly asking for top prospects in any return and it's understandable as Crochet is young and expected to earn just under $3 million in 2025. He's eligible for arbitration again in 2026 and reaches free agency in 2027. So, this is a tough decision for any team to make as they could only have Crochet for two years.
Atlanta has traded for players in recent years (Olson and Murphy) and immediately signed them to extensions. It could happen again but some of the players Chicago would want in return would probably include Spencer Schwellenbach, Drake Baldwin, Hurston Waldrep, AJ Smith-Shawver, Nacho Alvarez Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Jarred Kelenic.
Chicago severely needs offensive production and losing Crochet means they'd need pitching that's almost MLB-ready or already proven. Atlanta is no stranger to making a big trade with the White Sox. Just last year, AA made a 5-for-1 swap for reliever Aaron Bummer. This sent Chicago back Michael Soroka, Nicky Lopez, Jared Shuster, Braden Shewmake, and Riley Gowens.
8 minutes of Garrett Crochet strikeouts for your viewing pleasure.
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) November 6, 2024
He had the highest K/9 of any starting pitcher with at least 140 innings pitched at 12.9. Only a 2.0 BB/9 as well.
Only starter better? Chris Sale at 11.4. pic.twitter.com/rhOxGBsbRf
Soroka struggled as a starter but remade himself in the White Sox's bullpen and is now getting a lot of free agent interest. Shuster, who struggled with the Braves, found similar success as a reliever. Lopez and Shewmake didn't really contribute much but Gowens had a pretty good season with Chicago's High-A and Double-A affiliates.
Crochet would likely require a deal just as big but with more impact players. He may not be linked to Atlanta anymore because the price is just too high and the Braves can find solutions elsewhere. However, it is worth pointing out that the Braves operate in the shadows and no one truly knows what they're going to do until they want it to be known.
As Nightengale points out, "In the end, the White Sox will trade him to the team that gives them the most prized prospects and hope they never again experience anything like their embarrassing 41-121 season."