Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet (45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images Paul Rutherford

The Phillies didn’t end up being players for Juan Soto, though they might still be able to land one of the biggest fish available this offseason.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale appeared on “Foul Territory” Monday from the MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, and when asked about where he thinks Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet will be dealt, he gave an interesting answer.

“I still think he goes to the Phillies,” Nightengale said. “They were the most aggressive at the trade deadline. They like him a lot … love him.” 

That’s an interesting follow-up to Nightengale’s report from Sunday that suggested the White Sox turned down “the concept of Alec Bohm and Justin Crawford” headlining a deal for Crochet.

Nightengale went on to say this in Monday’s appearance on FT: “They don’t really want Bohm. They’ll take Crawford.”

OK, that feels like someone from the White Sox side of things saying they are interested in a package that includes Crawford, but where he isn’t necessarily the No. 1 piece heading back to Chicago.

Crawford was a first-round pick in 2022 by the Phillies, and the center fielder hit .313 with 25 doubles, 61 RBIs, 42 stolen bases and an .805 OPS between High-A and Double-A this past season. There’s quite a bit to like about the 20-year-old, although there are some in the talent evaluation community who are concerned by how frequently he puts the ball on the ground. He’s a bit of a polarizing prospect. MLB Pipeline has Crawford ranked as the No. 53 prospect in baseball. Aram Leighton of Just Baseball doesn’t have Crawford in his top 100 prospects.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz has said that Chicago is targeting a package led by position players. Teams like the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles may be in a better position to give them what they want in that regard, although until some of the free agent pitchers come off the board, it’s unclear how serious of a suitor either of those clubs will be for Crochet. The guess here is that if the Phillies are going to win the Crochet sweepstakes, they’re going to have to include SS/3B Aidan Miller, the 2023 first-round pick who almost all outlets have ranked as a top 30 prospect.

Crochet was an All-Star in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery and as an MLB starter. He struck out 209 batters over 146 innings, a staggering amount. Crochet is only 25, and has two years remaining before free agency. Acquiring Crochet could allow the Phillies to build a super rotation and/or free them up to trade Ranger Suárez before his contract year for another area of need on the MLB roster.

But doing so is going to cost a pretty penny.