The Chicago White Sox may be in a position to trade Chris Sale after failing to capitalize on a strong start to the season.
The Chicago White Sox began the 2016 season with a record of 23-10 and looked like a legitimate playoff contender. The club is now 35-36 and in fourth place in the American League Central.
The White Sox have not been to the postseason since 2008 when they lost to the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS.
After two consecutive fourth-place finishes in the AL Central, some think it may be time for the team to consider making some major moves to acquire talent and rebuild the roster.
Chris Sale is a player who seems untouchable right now in a trade with the White Sox, but that may not be the case.
David Schoenfield of ESPN.com wrote a piece Tuesday on why the White Sox should trade Sale, and provides some compelling reasons for the move:
"Sale’s trade value would be enormous, given that he’s making just $9.15 million this year and $12 million in 2017 and then has team options for $12.5 and $13.5 million in 2018 and 2019. A team that acquires him now would get him for four playoff runs. Compare Sale to Cole Hamels when Hamels was traded last year: Hamels had $70.5 million guaranteed to him in the three seasons remaining on his contract, plus a prorated share of $23.5 million for the rest of 2015 (and a $24 million vesting option for 2019 or $20 million team option or $6 million buyout). Sale will make half as much as Hamels over the same span. Then consider that Sale is four years younger than Hamels and a better pitcher."
Sale’s contract situation would bring a great haul to the White Sox, but it may be a bit soon to trade Sale. He is 12-2 on the season and may be the best pitcher in the American League.
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If the White Sox were entrenched in last place like the Minnesota Twins, it would not be a hard decision. But Sale and the Sox are only 5.5 games back in the division, and it is not even July. Part of the reason for the deficit is a recent sweep by the first-place Cleveland Indians.
The front office in Chicago needs to wait until closer to the trade deadline to even consider moving Sale, as a contending team will surely give up some great prospects or even full-time players in exchange for one of the best pitchers in baseball. His value increases even more because of his contract being through more than 2016, becoming more valuable than player who are acquired as two-month rentals for one playoff push.
The worst situation for the White Sox would be to trade Sale, turn things around, and have a lack for a dominant starter in the midst of a playoff run.
Next: Cubs are wise to keep young talent
The White Sox have taken the first two games of a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox, so perhaps it is a sign of change. If not, Sale will be a key target for contending teams from now until the end of July.