Boston Red Sox: Could Chris Sale be a Trade Target?
With a weak free agent class, teams like the Boston Red Sox may look to the trade market to upgrade their rotation. Could Chris Sale be a target?
Yes the Boston Red Sox won the American League East this season, but right now, they are watching the playoffs like you and I after being swept by the Cleveland Indians. One of their questions heading into the off-season is their rotation.
Steven Wright was a surprise this year, but missed time with injury. David Price didn’t have his usual type of year. Rick Porcello may win the AL Cy Young. Drew Pomeranz hit a wall after pitching more innings than he ever has before. The Red Sox may think they need an upgrade, especially if they want to get back to the World Series.
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Since the Red Sox already have a decent rotation, why not go for the luxury model — White Sox lefthander Chris Sale. If he’s in play, why wouldn’t the Red Sox make a trade bid? They inquired about him during the season and this time the White Sox might listen if the package is good enough.
In talking to some of the White Sox pro scouting personnel, it’s obvious who they like and would want back from the Red Sox to make this blockbuster a reality. The White Sox have always coveted Jackie Bradley Jr., and they would also have to get an elite prospect back such as Yoan Moncada and/or Rafael Devers. The Red Sox could make a deal for the following reasons: Andrew Benintendi has impressed enough that if he could become Boston’s center fielder to replace Bradley, Devers would likely stay at third base. Moncada could always move to left field if he’s not part of the deal. The Red Sox may also have the option of using Shaw in left field to add another lefthanded bat to the lineup. A Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez, Steven Wright, Drew Pomeranz/Buchholz pool of starters would look pretty solid.
The White Sox might even want Rodriguez in a deal with Bradley. If that’s the case, would you do it?
Well, let’s answer Nick Cafardo’s question. If the deal is Bradley, Rodriguez and Devers do I do the deal if I am the running the Boston Red Sox? The answer is a resounding yes.
Moncada, I believe, will eventually be the Red Sox third baseman, maybe even as soon as the upcoming season. The Sox have enough in left field were they to move Benintendi into center. Chris Young, Brock Holt, Travis Shaw and maybe even a free agent like Carlos Beltran would be more than enough to get the job done.
A rotation of Price, Sale, Porcello, Wright and Pomeranz could probably give Boston the deepest AL rotation this side of Cleveland. With the Yankees rebuilding, Toronto possibly going through an off-season transition and the possibility of the Orioles having some turnover as well, adding Sale could give the Sox a stranglehold on the division.
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