Garrett Crochet trade rumored to be closer, process of elimination points to Cubs

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet has been at the center of the Chicago Cubs' trade rumors over the past week.

It starting with a surprising revelation from Jon Morosi last week that the Cubs, along with the Cincinnati Reds, were among the "viable candidates" to trade for Crochet. It was vague reporting from Morosi, so at the time, it wasn't clear if Morosi was simply playing matchmaker or if he was reporting sourced information.

However, in the days since, there has been more confirmation to validate the Cubs' interest in Crochet. Over the weekend, FanSided's very own Robert Murray confirmed that the Cubs' interest in Crochet is real.

With the Winter Meetings officially starting today, the latest is that Crochet may now be expected to be traded this week. In an update with MLB Network on Sunday night, Morosi reported that a Crochet trade is getting closer and could be finalized this week.

"Based on what I've been hearing today, the Crochet trade is getting closer. It's now increasingly possible that he'll be moved [at the Winter Meetings]." - @jonmorosi pic.twitter.com/NcSgV2D1Az
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 9, 2024

The teams at the forefront of the Crochet rumors have been the Cubs, Reds, and Boston Red Sox.

Red Sox beat writer Chris Cotillo reported on Sunday night that the Red Sox may not be as involved in the Crochet trade talks as was originally thought.

Continue hearing Red Sox are just on the periphery of Garrett Crochet talks and are not aggressors at all, at least to this point.

Cincinnati seen as a real threat to land Crochet. Yankees believed to be in, too.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 8, 2024

The Red Sox were alive in the Juan Soto sweepstakes up until this weekend, so there is chance, now that Soto has signed, that Boston shows a renewed interest this week.

The Yankees were believed to have past interest in Crochet, specifically at the Trade Deadline this past season, but their focus up until now has been on Soto as well.

This weekend, Reds' scribe Gordon Wittenmyer threw cold water on Cincinnati still being alive in the Crochet trade talks.

By process of elimination, unless the Yankees have been coy with their pursuit or there is a mystery team involved, the Cubs could be at the forefront of the trade talks for Crochet. The Cubs have the prospects to get a potential trade across the finish line but it would mean Jed Hoyer making an aggressive move that he has yet to make in his time as the team's president.

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