Red Sox make big splash at winter meetings by getting Sale

Boston also acquires Tyler Thornburg from Milwaukee for third baseman Travis Shaw and two from the minor leagues.

OXON HILL, Md. — The Cubs could use a closer, Texas needs a center fielder, most every team wants an extra arm.

So now that Chris Sale got traded, baseball executives are trying to figure out who’s next.

Andrew McCutchen is still available, maybe the Tigers really would deal Miguel Cabrera or Justin Verlander. Kansas City reliever Wade Davis is attracting interest, perhaps Cincinnati speedster Billy Hamilton might be on the go.

“It’s incredible, the different directions that our conversations in the suite go,” Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

Boston made a big splash at the winter meetings Tuesday, getting Sale. The AL East champion Red Sox sent a package of four prospects including high-priced and highly talented hitter Yoan Moncada to the Chicago White Sox for the All-Star ace.

The Red Sox also acquired top setup man Tyler Thornburg from Milwaukee for third baseman Travis Shaw and two minor leaguers, and neared a deal with free agent first baseman Mitch Moreland. More could be in the works, too. “I think we’re open to free agency and I think we’re also open to making trades,” said Boston president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, fittingly wearing red socks.

Kyle Schwarber, of course, isn’t going anywhere. The Cubs slugger completed a remarkable comeback from a knee injury in April by bashing his way to a World Series championship.

Creative manager Joe Maddon sees something interesting in the future for Schwarber — as in, maybe the leadoff spot after Dexter Fowler became a free agent.

“Schwarber is not a bad name. Kyle is not a bad name at all,” Maddon said.