Boston moves into ‘win now’ mode
Boston lands Chicago ace Sale in deal involving four prospects
OXON HILL, Md. — No surprise Chris Sale got traded. The real shocker? That the Boston Red Sox swooped in to snag him.
The reloading Red Sox pulled off the biggest deal yet at the winter meetings, acquiring the Chicago White Sox ace Tuesday for a hefty package of four prospects.
“The ability to get a Chris Sale doesn’t come along very often,” Boston president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said.
Sale joined an already talented rotation with the AL East champions, now pitching alongside 2016 Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello, former winner David Price and knuckleballer Steven Wright.
He leaves behind a shredded reputation in Chicago, suspended by the team last summer after he flew into a rage and cut up retro uniforms the club was supposed to wear.
The 27-year-old Sale has been an all-star each of the last five seasons, finishing top six in Cy Young Award voting every time, but has never played in the post-season.
To get him, Boston traded highpriced third baseman Yoan Moncada, considered by many to be the top young talent in baseball, along with pitchers Michael Kopech, Victor Diaz and outfielder Luis Basabe.
Sale was a top trade target this off-season and Washington seemed to be the favourite to land him this week.
Dombrowski said he began talking to the White Sox in earnest on Friday. “I guess you can look at quickness,” in different ways, he said.
A few hours earlier, Boston got setup man Tyler Thornburg from Milwaukee. After that deal was announced, Dombrowski said, “We’re trying to win now, as you can see.”
Few knew then exactly how hard they were trying.
Sale was 17-10 with a 3.34 ERA and 233 strikeouts this year, a season after he led the majors by fanning 274.
He also comes with this benefit: A team-favourable contract that calls for a $12-million salary next year and includes club options for 2018 at $12.5 million and 2019 at $15 million.
The Red Sox signed Moncada in March 2015 for a $31.5-million bonus, the largest ever for an amateur player, and paid an additional $31.5 million in tax. For that $63 million, the 21-year-old played eight games in the majors, all this season and batted .211 with one RBI.