Trade rumors have resurfaced this offseason regarding one of the Philadelphia Phillies’ top targets from the past season’s trade deadline: Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet. Reports suggest that the White Sox are seeking a trade package comparable to—or even better than—what they received for Dylan Cease, with a particular emphasis on acquiring position players to strengthen their lineup for the future.
If the Phillies are serious about pursuing Crochet once again, the question remains: who would they have to part with in a potential trade for the talented 25-year-old left-hander? Let’s examine three likely candidates who might be included in a deal to make the trade happen.
3 position players the Phillies should trade for Garrett Crochet
Alec Bohm
What better way to kick things off than by including the Phillies’ most talked-about trade asset, Alec Bohm? While the White Sox are reportedly focused on promising prospects, it’s hard to pass up a relatively young, standout third baseman like Bohm, who has delivered back-to-back seasons with 97 RBIs while consistently batting around .280.
For a White Sox team that struggled at third base in 2024—managing only 11 home runs, 43 RBIs, and a disappointing .187 average—Bohm would be a substantial upgrade.
The question for Chicago is whether they’re willing to continue with Lenyn Sosa and Bryan Ramos, or if they’d prefer an established MLB player like Bohm to anchor the position. Considering they went from finishing first in the AL Central three years ago to the bottom of the league last season, it’s clear they’ll want to turn things around quickly. Adding Bohm could significantly speed up that rebuilding process.
Starlyn Caba
When the White Sox traded away Dylan Cease, one regret was not acquiring enough prospects from the Top 100 MLB Pipeline list. They’re unlikely to repeat that mistake, so the Phillies will almost certainly need to include at least one top-tier prospect in any potential deal.
With Aidan Miller and Justin Crawford considered virtually untouchable, Philadelphia’s next best option from the Top 100 is Starlyn Caba. Ranked No. 4 among Phillies’ prospects and 81st overall, Caba is a rare talent—an exceptional pure hitter who draws a lot of walks and has a low strikeout rate.
For a White Sox team that ranked last in walks and 17th in strikeouts this past season, Caba’s skills could address a key weakness when he reaches the majors. Despite a somewhat underwhelming batting average during his 2024 minor league season, he still boosted his value with impressive numbers: 57 runs scored, 50 stolen bases, 67 walks, and only 49 strikeouts across 78 games.
While Caba isn’t known for his power, his elite ability to generate runs is undeniable. If he continues to develop, he has the potential to become the White Sox’s ideal leadoff hitter in the future.
Griffin Burkholder
With the White Sox bolstering their infield through the potential additions of Alec Bohm and Starlyn Caba, it’s time to address the outfield. For that, the Phillies’ No. 8 prospect, Griffin Burkholder, fits the bill. Some might suggest that the No. 7 prospect, Dante Nori, would be a better choice, but with Chicago seeking the highest potential bats, Burkholder seems to have the edge. At just 19 years old, Burkholder already stands at a solid 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, while Nori, at 20, is maxed out at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds.
Burkholder’s scouting reports highlight his plus raw power combined with plus-plus speed, making him a threat both at the plate and on the basepaths—potentially a future star in the mold of a Ronald Acuña Jr. Although it would be tough for the Phillies to part with a prospect who could develop into a superstar, acquiring a potential ace-like starter in Garrett Crochet might be worth the gamble.
