The biggest name being floated in Hot Stove news is Chris Sale. The White Sox ace has been discussed in trade rumors featuring the Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers, and Atlanta Braves among others.
The left handed pitcher is one of the most coveted arms in baseball, and with his team friendly salary ($21.15 million over two years, with two option years at $12.5 and $13.5 million) he’s one of the elite players who will more than likely begin the year in a different uniform.
Let’s talk about some of the teams being discussed in regards to a Sale trade.
NATIONALS
One of my favorite baseball writers is the Nationals beat writer, Barry Svrluga. He has an excellent article in the Washington Post about why Washington should pull the trigger on a Sale trade, and who they could give up. One of the best rumors involve Lucas Giolito and some solid A prospects for Sale.
But could you imagine a rotation with two time Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Chris Sale? On paper, they would be ridiculous.
RANGERS
While there’s been rumors of the Rangers and White Sox talking about a Sale trade since earlier this season, trade sites keep bringing up Jurickson Profar and Joey Gallo for Sale. Texas GM Jon Daniels keeps saying that all options are open, but most observers don’t think that Daniels would trade both future stars for Chris Sale. However, the Rangers need starting pitching desperately, having only one reliable arm on staff, and that arm belongs to Cole Hamels. Yu Darvish is a great pitcher, but has been injury prone, and lefty Derek Holland is a free agent.
BRAVES
The strongest rumors involve Atlanta. The Braves have stockpiled more pitching prospects than your average team, and they have a couple of high profile outfielders that would be more than enough trade bait for Chicago. A lot of rumors include either Mallex Smith or Ender Inciarte with a package of young arms for Sale (guys like Max Fried, Aaron Blair, and Matt Wisler). Most people do not think the Braves would be willing to get rid of Inciarte, who just won the Gold Glove this season and was a highly effective leadoff hitter for the team. Other prospects being discussed include Ozzie Albies and Touki Toussaint.
Fan Interference 
“But could you imagine a rotation with two time Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Chris Sale? On paper, they would be ridiculous.”
Just so Bryce Harper doesn’t say “Where’s my ring?” again, I’m fine with that.
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Yawn. The Phillies had Cliff Lee (Cy Young), Roy Halladay (2 x Cy Young) and Cole Hamels (WS MVP). And in 2011 they were absolutely ridiculous. So I don’t have to imagine a powerful rotation. The Phillies had it. It’s not a guarantee of anything.
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Notice I said, “On paper”. 😀 Because on paper the Nationals should have gone to the World Series at least three times in the last five or six years, too.
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I know. But when people start getting excited for Super-Mega rotations, I can’t help but feel “Been there. Done that.” Still it would be a pretty awesome season to witness anyway.
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But that Phillies rotation… oh man. It was worth it just for Roy x 2.
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The way the game’s been evolving and how a great pitcher can go down at any time, I think good enough starting pitching and a great bullpen is the better bet.
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Don’t forget the other option: Chicago White Sox. I don’t think they will get an offer they love enough to trade him. If they do, then they have to trade away the rest of their staff and start a rebuild from scratch. I think they’ll keep him and instead try to win with him.
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Here’s what they can get for John Danks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UspUNNfFXw
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Yeah, this is the odds on favorite….reports are that they are asking for packages that other GMs are calling “ridiculous”….which is their right, but suggests that they aren’t really interested in trading him unless they are completely blown away by an offer…so, he isn’t going anywhere.
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Imagine Sale with the Feesh?
You can’t?
Try remaining submerged a little longer, then….
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