Major Updates: Cubs Confirms Trade For Major Top Star With White Sox

The Chicago Cubs rarely engage in trades with their crosstown rivals, the Chicago White Sox, and for good reason—such deals can have lasting consequences for the losing side. The team that comes out on the wrong end of the trade is often reminded of it endlessly.

A prime example is the 2017 trade where the Cubs acquired White Sox ace José Quintana. In return, they sent a package including highly-regarded prospects Dylan Cease and Eloy Jiménez to the White Sox. While both players were promising at the time, few could have predicted how quickly they would develop, particularly Cease.

Now, the Cubs are in a familiar situation. Jed Hoyer is looking for young, controllable pitching, and someone like Garrett Crochet fits the mold, though he will soon be seeking a new contract. The Cubs’ robust farm system gives them the resources to trade for a top-tier starter—if only that pitcher didn’t happen to play on the South Side.

Would the Cubs risk repeating history with a Garrett Crochet trade?

The Cubs could certainly choose to avoid trading for Garrett Crochet, sparing themselves the risk of dealing with a crosstown rival. However, that decision might not be so simple. Unless Jed Hoyer is comfortable seeing Crochet pitch regularly within their division, the pressure could mount. According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Cincinnati Reds are also in the mix and could present a compelling trade package for Crochet, potentially putting the Cubs in a tough spot.

As Morosi points out, the Cubs and White Sox have made trades since the Quintana deal, perhaps signaling a thaw in their cautious trade relationship. However, for a pitcher of Garrett Crochet’s caliber, Jed Hoyer would need to weigh the risk of sending top-tier prospects to the White Sox and potentially facing their success down the line.

Despite often operating like a small-market team in terms of roster strategy, the Cubs maintain a top-10 payroll and are willing to invest in the right players. Crochet fits that mold if he becomes available.

 

Adding Crochet to a rotation alongside Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga would significantly strengthen the Cubs’ pitching staff. It would also turn up the pressure on the Milwaukee Brewers while potentially sidelining the Reds in the division race.