White Sox: The Domino Effect Following Chris Sale Trade

On Tuesday morning reports emerged that the Chicago White Sox have traded Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox. This is obviously a huge move for both clubs, though for different reasons. Boston gave up a king’s ransom to acquire the lefty ace, and the ChiSox are now without the face of their franchise.

Anyone following the situation between the White Sox and Chris Sale surely saw this coming. There have been rumors that Sale would be traded for months now, and tension between him and the team has risen since then. In July of this year, Sale was suspended by the team after cutting up the entire team’s set of throwback jerseys that he claimed they were too baggy and uncomfortable to play in. From that point on, it has felt like only a matter of time before the White Sox and Chris Sale parted ways.

Up until the news of the trade broke, the Washington Nationals were actually the favorite to acquire Sale. In fact, some reported that a deal with the Nationals was nearly done last night. Then Boston swooped in, and as he tends to do, Dave Dombrowski traded a slew of prospects for a veteran player. The player package is headlined by 3B Yoan Moncada and SP Michael Kopech. Moncada is thought by many to be the top prospect in all of baseball, and Kopech can reach 100+ MPH on the radar gun. Outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe and pitcher Victor Diaz were also sent to Chicago in the deal. 

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Now Boston has a very formidable rotation starting with Sale, David Price, and 2016 AL CY Young winner Rick Porcello. If Drew Pomeranz and Steven Wright can find their first-half success from last year, Boston could have the best rotation in baseball. That’s very exciting for Boston fans, but probably not for the White Sox faithful. I’m sure Moncada softens the blow quite a bit, but Sale has been the face of the team for a good 5 years now. Losing him probably doesn’t feel good, but it’s only a sign of what is to come.

By moving their best pitcher, the White Sox appear to be waving the white flag. The core of Sale, Jose Quintana, Adam Eaton, Melky Cabrera, and Jose Abreu is yet to reach the postseason together. They’ll have to do it without Sale now, but that’s assuming they’ll get the chance. Between now and opening day, I suspect that Eaton, and either Abreu or Quintana will be wearing a different uniform. It doesn’t make sense to hold on to the rest of the core if you’re going to trade away your ace. They don’t seem intent on spending the talent to acquire a replacement (which wouldn’t make sense anyways), which means they’re content on taking a step back next year.

After years of underachieving with this core, it’s time to start over. Moncada and Kopech are an excellent return, and will give the ChiSox a great start on rebuilding this team. Of their remaining players, Quintana and Eaton likely have the most trade value. The Cardinals and Dodgers are both reportedly looking for a center fielder, and both are loaded with prospect talent. Rich Hill was the hottest free agent pitcher in this year’s market, and he just returned to the Dodgers on a 3-year pact. In other words if Quintana is made available, he would be the most appealing pitcher a team can acquire.

Going another tier down, Jose Abreu and Nate Jones should also be moved for the right price. The Rockies are said to be looking for a first baseman, and have inquired on Abreu already. Jones’ name hasn’t really popped up in trade rumors lately, but that’s not going to last. The Nationals just missed out on the Mark Melancon sweepstakes and need a closer. They may be more inclined to trade for a reliever rather than break the bank on Kenley Jansen or Aroldis Chapman.  

Nate Jones isn’t the only attractive bullpen piece the White Sox have to offer. Dan Jennings is another solid setup man the Sox might shop around the league. Miguel Gonzalez is a solid middle of the rotation guy that a team like the Marlins, who have twice expressed interest in acquiring the starter, may look in to. 

Next: Red Sox Acquire Chris Sale

Things may get very ugly in the southside of Chicago over the next few seasons, but they may be primed for a dynasty. Tim Anderson is thought to be their shortstop of the future, and Carlos Rodon has just barely gotten started in his career. After seeing what they could get from Boston, the White Sox might be eager to retool the farm system in a very short period of time. With the free agent market so offbeat this year, they might be poised to rake in some talent.