The Philadelphia Phillies were widely considered to have the best starting rotation in Major League Baseball at the trade deadline. That didn't stop them from trying to make it better.
With Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez, and Cristopher Sánchez already in the fold, the Phillies didn't necessarily have to add another starting pitcher. They could roll into a playoff series with those four and match up favorably with any playoff contender.
At the end of the day, they ended up sticking with the arms they had, adding only bullpen and outfield help. Austin Hays, Carlos Estevez, and Tanner Banks were the names wearing new Phillies jerseys by August 1.
But according to one of baseball's most prominent insiders, they were close to landing one of the top arms seen as available at this season's deadline.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Friday that the Phillies were in discussions with the Chicago White Sox in the final 24 hours before the deadline about a trade for ace Garrett Crochet.
So why didn't the deal end up going through? There was a fairly simple reason, according to Rosenthal.
"For Crochet, arguably no prospect should have been off limits." Rosenthal said. "According to sources, the Phillies did not offer righty Andrew Painter, who underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2023."
Crochet, 25, has enjoyed a breakout season on the south side of Chicago. He made his first All-Star team in his first year as a big-league starting pitcher, posting 167 strikeouts thus far in just 120 2/3 innings. Though his ERA ballooned in his most recent start, it still sits at a solid 3.65.
One of the reasons Crochet was not traded was likely his list of demands. He reportedly was not willing to take on a bullpen role despite more than doubling his career-high in innings pitched, and would not pitch in the playoffs without signing a contract extension first.
The Phillies will soldier on, still right in the thick of the hunt for the National League pennant. But, as Rosenthal also said, there's a chance they'll be back in the Crochet sweepstakes this winter.
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