Red Sox load up in deal for White Sox ace Sale
OXON HILL, MD. — All-star ace Chris Sale is all set to join the reloading Boston Red Sox, leaving behind his shredded reputation with the Chicago White Sox.
A person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press that Boston agreed Tuesday to acquire Sale for a package of four prospects, including high-priced infielder Yoan Moncada. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn’t been announced.
Sale was a top trade target at the winter meetings, and Major League Baseball’s American League East champion Red Sox were getting him instead of Washington, which also pursued.
A few hours earlier, Boston got prime setup man Tyler Thornburg from Milwaukee. After that deal was announced, without tipping his hand, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said: “We’re trying to win now, as you can see.”
Boston agreed to acquire Sale for minor-league pitchers Michael Kopech and Victor Diaz, outfielder Luis Basabe and Moncada, a third baseman. Sale, 27, has been an allstar in each of the past five seasons, finishing high in Cy Young Award voting every time. The lefty was 1710 with a 3.34 ERA this past season.
Sale led the majors with 274 strikeouts in 2015 and fanned 233 last season. He’ll join a talented rotation that includes recent Cy Young winner Rick Porcello, former winner David Price and allstar knuckleballer Steven Wright.
Sale has 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.