Philadelphia Phillies allegedly dismissed the proposal of parting with their premier prospect in exchange for a frontline starter.

The Phillies are focused on the postseason for now, but once that’s over, their next major decision will be how to address the 2025 rotation. One potential option is Andrew Painter, who might become a key part of the lineup later in the season. However, this opportunity wouldn’t exist if the Chicago White Sox had succeeded in their efforts to acquire him.

According to an ESPN article by Buster Olney and Jesse Rogers titled “Inside the 2024 White Sox’s road to MLB’s all-time worst record,” Painter was a major target for the White Sox at the trade deadline. Chicago’s front office, led by Chris Getz, asked for Painter in a potential trade with the Phillies for Garrett Crochet. The Phillies, though, refused the offer.

The trade discussions around Crochet also involved a request from his camp for a contract extension with any team that wanted him to pitch in the postseason. Even after this condition was revealed, several teams, including the Dodgers, Braves, and Phillies, continued to make offers.

While it’s clear that the Phillies made the right decision in not trading Painter for Crochet, it’s still interesting to consider how the Phillies’ rotation would have looked with Crochet available for the postseason. Crochet might have replaced Ranger Suárez, but his second-half struggles (with a 5.71 ERA) make it less likely that he would have made a significant impact.

Crochet still has two years of team control, so he wouldn’t have been just a short-term rental. However, given his limited experience as a starter—his first start was on Opening Day—along with the uncertainty surrounding him, it was too risky for the Phillies to part with a talent like Painter, even with Painter’s Tommy John surgery in the mix.

There’s always a possibility the Phillies could pursue Crochet again in the offseason or at next year’s trade deadline. If Crochet pitches 142 innings in 2024, his value could rise, and the demand for an extension might either increase or disappear altogether. But it’s also likely that Painter will remain a must-have piece for the White Sox in any future discussions, and the Phillies will continue to view Painter as untouchable, just as they did in July—a decision that’s hard to dispute.