3 quick White Sox trades that replace Garrett Crochet in 2022

Chris Stratton

The Chicago White Sox could really use Chris Stratton in their bullpen now.

Another rebuilding team the White Sox could try and poach a pitcher from is the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Pirates have been having a yard sale for the past couple of seasons.

After making the playoffs in 2015, they have traded away Gerrit Cole, Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, Charlie Morton, Tyler Glasnow, Neil Walker, Mark Melancon, Francisco Liriano, Daniel Hudson, Josh Bell, Joe Musgrove, Jameson Taillon, and Adam Frazier.

All talent has been sold off and the roster reduced to scraps. Chris Stratton is a solid reliever on the Pirates that could be a great addition to the White Sox bullpen. He was a starting pitcher for his first three years in the league. In 2016, he had a 3.60 ERA in seven starts with the Giants.

The following season, he had a 3.68 ERA in 10 starts. He started 26 games in 2018 but his ERA imploded to 5.09. The following season, the Angeles decided to move him to the bullpen.

Since coming to Pittsburgh in the middle of the 2019 season, the right-hander has quietly been an effective weapon out of the Pirates bullpen. Stratton has had a sub-four ERA in each of the last three seasons there.

In 2021, he posted a 3.63 ERA in 79.1 innings. He also logged eight saves. The previous year he owned a 3.90 mark and opponents hit just .224 off of him.

Stratton is 31-years old with two years of team control. A cellar dweller like the Pirates has no need for his services since he is not viewed as a key piece. He also won’t be too expensive to trade for since he is a middle reliever.

He can also fill Crochet’s role as a spot starter with his experience in the Giant’s starting rotation or eat up innings as a long reliever. Like Crochet, he is versatile.