Offseason preview: Five big-name Red Sox trade targets
By Joe Meehan
Aug 30, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher
Chris Sale(49) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The tall, thin lefty’s talents are currently being wasted on a Chicago team that isn’t at all close to contending, so a potential deal could be found here.
Gordon Edes cites his major league sources as saying that the White Sox have so many needs that they might move Sale just to fill some of those spots. Sale is on an affordable deal and is pitching at a Cy Young level, with the only concern being his arm angle that has some concerned about potential injury.
Sale would immediately fill the hole left by the Lester trade and would provide the Sox with some flexibility to spend money on another starter in free agency, such as James Shields.
Potential deal: Swihart, Owens, Cecchini for Sale
Sale is on a more team-friendly deal than Hamels, so the return is a little more. Swihart would fill a need at catcher while Cecchini could slide in at third or in left. Owens would give them a potentially strong starter to help cushion the blow of losing a frontline starting pitcher.