MLB insider reveals Yankees surprisingly more aggressive than Red Sox in ace trade talks

Given the Yankees' budgetary constraints this offseason, it makes more sense for them to reinforce their rotation via trade conversations rather than high-dollar splurges like Max Fried and Corbin Burnes. Still, it's surprising to hear the Yankees connected to this level of target for the very first time on the verge of the Winter Meetings in Dallas.

According to Red Sox insider Chris Cotillo, Boston isn't as involved in Garrett Crochet trade talks with the White Sox as much as some fans have theorized. Instead, they're waiting out the market to see if it dips into a range that's to their liking -- in other words, they're largely out.

Meanwhile, two teams appear to have emerged at the forefront of talks: the Cincinnati Reds and ... sorry, the New York Yankees?

New York stayed out of Crochet's market entirely (or so it seemed) midseason, when the White Sox ultimately decided to hold onto their breakout ace and try to drum up competition once again during the winter. Did Crochet's profile increase by posting a 5.12 ERA in 12 second-half starts, or ... ?

Yankees more aggressive than Red Sox on Garrett Crochet; what would a trade package look like?

The top of the Reds' farm seems mostly untouchable (Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, and Edwin Arroyo), but Chicago's been very demanding regarding Crochet packages thus far, leaving the trade deadline unsatisfied. Established MLBers like Wilyer Abreu and Triston Casas were tossed around lightly when it was believed Boston was more involved. Would Jasson Dominguez find his way into a hypothetical trade like this? Would that be good value? Crochet has shown very little durability as a converted reliever, losing steam at the midpoint of a season that began so impressively (107 1/3 innings, 150 Ks, 3.02 ERA). His body of work as a starter remains just one season.

Crochet is controllable through the next two seasons, aligning nicely with Gerrit Cole's prime, and would serve as a high-upside option for a Yankees rotation that's produced a lot of Nos. 3 and 4 lately, but without consistent swing-and-miss. However, the flags attached to Crochet's name are redder than the B on Boston's cap.