SETTING SALE
CHRIS Sale is a linchpin for the White Sox and, perhaps, the whole sport. If Chicago ever finds the nerve and the right deal to trade its ace, then, as outside executives indicate, it would signal a White Sox rebuild (you don’t trade your ace and keep trying to win) and, thus, an open season on their veterans.
Additionally, a Sale trade would establish a value on an ace-level starter via trade in an offseason when the freeagent starter market went from putrid to something worse with Jeremy Hellickson’s decision to accept the qualifying offer.
Because of his talent, prime age (28 in March) and favorable contract (three years at $38 million left), Sale is the most desirable starter in the market, but should he be dealt, teams could pivot toward Arizona’s Zack Greinke, Detroit’s Justin Verlander or Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer.
The Yankees are looking to upgrade their rotation and would check in on Sale, but are unlikely buyers because, 1) Brian Cashman is on record saying he would invest in a big trade only if he felt the team were one piece from championship contending, and these Yankees are not, and 2) there is a strong desire from ownership to see the fruits of a youth movement, and Sale would cost some combination of Greg Bird, Clint Frazier, Jorge Mateo, Gary Sanchez, Justus Sheffield and Gleyber Torres.
At the recently concluded GM Meetings, White Sox GM Rick Hahn refused to signal whether his team will go for it or sell, but spoke several times about wanting a sustainable contender — which is unlikely with the current jigsaw puzzle of a roster combined with an uninspiring prospect base. They share a city with the Cubs, who broke down completely to rebuild and were just rewarded for the success of that deconstruction/reconstruction with a championship.
That could influence the White Sox toward a fire Sale that would have pieces that should entice the Yankees beyond their ace: 1. Melky Cabrera (one year, $15 mil
lion left): This is contingent on the Yankees trading Brian McCann and opening the DH slot. The Yanks could see if Carlos Beltran would return for one year as the main DH and a hedge if the Aarons — Judge and Hicks — cannot handle right f ield. If not, Cabrera offers similar qualities in a younger package: a switch hitter good from both sides of the plate, who is a tough
out and a below-average outfielder. 2. Todd Frazier (due about $14 million in his final year of arbitration): Again, this necessitates no McCann, because Frazier would come in as the DH, plus someone who could put Chase Headley on the bench more frequently and be a first-base security blanket for Bird. As with Cabrera — if draft-pick compensation is part of a new collective bargaining agreement — the Yankees could put a qualifying offer on Frazier after the season. Also, if the Yankees were non-contenders in July, Cabrera and Frazier become trade chips. 3. Jose Quintana (four years left at $35.35 million): The Yankees might be too embarrassed to give up significant prospects for a guy they let walk as a minor league free agent after the 2011 season. The lefty has been routinely excellent since for the White Sox and is one of just six starters who has topped 200 innings in each of the past four seasons. 4. David Robertson (two years,
$25 million): His walks went way up, and he perhaps is at the outset of a decline phase. But if the Yanks do not land Aroldis Chapman or Kenley Jansen, are they better off having Dellin Betances and Tyler Clippard attacking the sixth to eighth innings with Robertson anchoring the ninth?
Would the White Sox ever bundle Cabrera, Frazier and Robertson in one deal in which they had to take back Headley (two years, $26 million left) plus get prospects? Would the White Sox consider dealing Nate Jones (four years, $13.85 million left), who just had a 2.29 ERA in 71 games and held righties to a .477 OPS? If they go into a full sell-off, then first baseman Jose Abreu and right fielder Adam Eaton likely would be available as well, but they do not fit the Yankees’ current needs.