Chris Sale Wants to Stay with Chicago White Sox

Aug 9, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Despite an occasionally tumultuous season, Chris Sale has expressed a desire to remain with the Chicago White Sox. Should the team still explore a trade this offseason?

Chris Sale has been surrounded by controversy and trade rumors this season. Starting with the Adam LaRoche incident, the team itself seems to be surrounded by controversy and trade rumors. However, Sale recently let the Chicago White Sox know that he wants to stay with the club.

Chris Sale is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball right now and would fetch an unknown price on the trade market. The White Sox were rumored to have more than one talk involving Sale at the trade deadline.

Chris Sale didn’t help his value or the White Sox’s desire to keep him with a clubhouse incident shortly before the trade deadline. Sale was upset that the team put throwback uniforms and money above his comfort, and what he thought was their best chance to win.  He responded by shredding the team’s uniforms and making them unusable. He was sent home and kept out of his next start.

This incident was thought to all but ensure Sale’s future seasons would be played somewhere else. The White Sox elected to keep their ace, though they have hinted at being open for business this offseason.

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Sale’s recent thoughts on wanting to stay in Chicago long-term are a bit surprising considering his beef with the front office. He was punished for the incident and the team has moved on and managed to avoid any controversy since.

But the question remains: Should the White Sox trade Chris Sale? They could get an unknown price for the ace on the trade market and it is not as if they are having much success with him on their team. Regardless of their current performance, trading Chris Sale would be a huge mistake.

If the White Sox trade Chris Sale it is doubtful they will get a prospect or player that is close to Sale’s talent level. Trading Sale instead of building a team around him would be a major blunder that the White Sox should not make.

Despite his issues with the front office this season, Sale is not only a fan favorite, but one of the best players on the team. If they elect to keep Sale and tear down the team around him, it would be a very wise decision.

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The White Sox need to rebuild their roster,no doubt.  Any solid rebuild needs an ace to build around and Chris Sale is that ace. If the White Sox hope to turn their team around in the near future, it will be with Sale at the top of their rotation.