The Boston Red Sox are looking to add another quality starting pitcher to their rotation this offseason, but with a lack of good free agent options, Boston has had to look to the trade market.
That has put them in the mix to land Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale, who the team has placed on the trade block. Boston tried to land Sale at the trade deadline last year, but the White Sox decided to keep him in town. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports details why the Red Sox are one of the frontrunners to land him:
Boston is definitely in there pitching, and it should be, though the Red Sox have flown under the radar for once. Red Sox people said their efforts at the deadline were way overplayed, and that may be the case. But while they’ve said the rotation isn’t their current priority, they certainly could use Sale. And there’s no doubt they have the young players to get it done. It was reported here, and elsewhere, that Jackie Bradley was among the pieces the White Sox sought last July, and while giving him up would hurt, Boston could slide Mookie Betts over to center field if need be. They also have two of the more talented young players in the game, in Andrew Benintendi and Yoan Moncada, plus some young pitching pieces such as Eduardo Rodriguez who could round out a package.
Heyman also notes that the Astros, Braves, Nationals and Rangers are pursuing Sale. However, the Nationals may be out of the race if they make a trade for Andrew McCutchen.
There is also a strong chance that the White Sox again decide to keep Sale, who is under contract through 2017 with club options for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Sale went 17-10 with a 3.34 ERA last season.
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