Chicago White Sox: Five Possible Chris Sale Trades
The most talked about scenario for a Chris Sale trade to date is one involving the White Sox and the Boston Red Sox. The two clubs flirted with a deal in the days leading up to the 2016 non-waiver trade deadline, and will likely revisit the discussion after the Red Sox were swept in the first round of the playoffs this past October by the Cleveland Indians.
Red Sox President Dave Dombrowski is holding his hand close to his chest on the Sale matter, and has gone as far as saying that he would rather add a late-inning reliever to their bullpen before looking to add another piece to the rotation. Enter one Nate Jones, the 30-year-old set-up man who would help the Red Sox quell both desires in one move, allowing them to give the White Sox a package of prospects that would work for them.
As a preface to the following, Jackie Bradley Jr. has been named before as a coveted piece for the White Sox, and I left him out of the following scenario because I don’t think he would be in a trade this winter since the White Sox have changed course and are now looking to cash in on assets and rebuild their minor league system.
Yoan Moncada was surpassed as the Red Sox’s number one prospect (as per MLB Pipeline) by outfielder Andrew Benintendi recently, but Moncada would be the White Sox’s second baseman of the future, with an expected arrival anywhere from 2017 to Spring Training 2018. Moncada is a switch-hitter with great bat speed and the ability to make solid contact from both sides of the plate, with the potential to hit 20-25 home runs each year. Moncada’s best asset at this point is his well above average speed, posting back-to-back 45-plus steal seasons in the Boston farm system.
Michael Kopech is a right-handed starting pitcher with a 95-97 mile per hour fastball complemented by a low 90s slider. Kopech’s fastball has excellent late life, and at times reaches triple digits.
Sam Travis is seen as an excellent hitter who displays the ability to make hard contact to all areas of the field, complemented by soft hands and an excellent work ethic at first base. Travis assuming the first base role at some point in 2017 or 2018 will allow the White Sox to move Jose Abreu into the designated hitter role or even trade him during the rebuilding process.
Luis Alexander Basabe ranks eighth in the Boston system, but is more expendable to the Red Sox due to their excellent outfield currently on display at the major league level. Basabe is 20 years old, and is seen as a player with excellent raw power ability thanks to his lofty swing, with plus speed and above average base running instincts. Basabe would be best served as a corner outfielder at the major league level, and has a projected arrival of sometime in 2018.
Roniel Raudes is the Red Sox’ 13th overall prospect, at the tender age of 18 he would be on the same track as current White Sox prospect Spencer Adams, who could be expected sometime in 2019. Raudes is seen as “extremely advanced” as an 18-year-old prospect, with excellent control of his fastball, complemented by a pair of plus secondary pitches in his curveball and changeup.