NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 17: (NEW YIRK DAILIES OUT) Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 17, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
MLB rumors: 3 teams that should trade for Chris Sale and why
These three teams should get involved in the latest MLB rumors involving Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale.
It doesn’t matter what holiday it is. MLB rumors always find a way to surprise us, even on Christmas. The latest hit the social media wire courtesy of Jon Heyman who reports the Boston Red Sox are receiving interest in starter Chris Sale.
Teams are checking on Chris Sale’s availability. Red Sox are not looking to trade any of their starters but view rotation as an area of depth and are at least willing to listen, and consider. Sale does have complete no trade clause so he can veto potential deals.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 25, 2022
One of the game’s best pitchers from 2012-2018, Sale has barely taken the field in the last three years. Post-2019 when he put together his worst season, Sale has made only 11 starts from 2020-onward. The injuries should have the Red Sox looking to deal him and at least see if they can escape from the unknown of what’s next for the aging star.
Sale is still owed another $27.5 million in each of the next two seasons plus another $20 million possibly for 2025 through a vesting option. It’s a lot of money to pay a guy on a roster that needs to retool. The Red Sox should look to make these MLB rumors come true. These three teams can help make it a reality.
1) MLB rumors: A return to the White Sox could make sense for Chris Sale
Chris Sale’s days of cutting up Chicago White Sox jerseys are a very distant memory at this point. The White Sox have undergone some major changes. We can assume Sale has matured as well.
Sale’s old stomping grounds in Chicago make sense for him because of a potential upgrade the White Sox could make in their own rotation. While the White Sox may not necessarily have a starting pitcher that would fit in with Boston’s plans, a separate deal sending Lucas Giolito or Lance Lynn elsewhere for a different kind of upgrade could give them a better-rounded roster.
The White Sox have had a questionable offseason. The addition of Andrew Benintendi into left field doesn’t move the needle. Signing Mike Clevinger for the starting staff is their chance to replicate what happened with Johnny Cueto last year.
There definitely is a risk for the White Sox to take on Sale, however, with the assumption that the Red Sox will need to eat a part of the deal, it could turn into a steal.
December 25, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>One of the game’s best pitchers from 2012-2018, Sale has barely taken the field in the last three years. Post-2019 when he put together his worst season, Sale has made only 11 starts from 2020-onward. The injuries should have the Red Sox looking to deal him and at least see if they can escape from the unknown of what’s next for the aging star.</p>
<p>Sale is still owed another $27.5 million in each of the next two seasons plus another $20 million possibly for 2025 through a vesting option. It’s a lot of money to pay a guy on a roster that needs to retool. The Red Sox should look to make these MLB rumors come true. These three teams can help make it a reality.</p>
<h2>1) MLB rumors: A return to the White Sox could make sense for Chris Sale</h2>
<p>Chris Sale’s days of <a href=https://fansided.com/2022/12/25/chris-sale-mlb-rumors-red-sox/"https://fansided.com/2016/07/26/chris-sale-ridiculous-defense-jersey-cutting-temper-tantrum/">cutting up Chicago White Sox jerseys</a> are a very distant memory at this point. The White Sox have undergone some major changes. We can assume Sale has matured as well.</p>
<p>Sale’s old stomping grounds in Chicago make sense for him because of a potential upgrade the White Sox could make in their own rotation. While the White Sox may not necessarily have a starting pitcher that would fit in with Boston’s plans, a separate deal sending Lucas Giolito or Lance Lynn elsewhere for a different kind of upgrade could give them a better-rounded roster.</p>
<p>The White Sox have had a questionable offseason. The addition of Andrew Benintendi into left field doesn’t move the needle. Signing Mike Clevinger for the starting staff is their chance to replicate what happened with Johnny Cueto last year.</p>
<p>There definitely is a risk for the White Sox to take on Sale, however, with the assumption that the Red Sox will need to eat a part of the deal, it could turn into a steal.</p>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-2355807" src=https://fansided.com/2022/12/25/chris-sale-mlb-rumors-red-sox/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1029,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Ffansided.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1431064761.jpeg" alt="MLB rumors, Chris Sale trade destinations" width="1600" height="1029" srcset="https://fansided.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1431064761.jpeg 1600w, https://fansided.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1431064761-768x494.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" /><p class="wp-caption-text">MLB rumors about a Chris Sale trade could lead to the St. Louis Cardinals. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>2) MLB rumors: The Cardinals might be the best match for Chris Sale</h2>
<p>The St. Louis Cardinals have so many terrific trade pieces. It would be foolish for them to not use them. Their plethora of young talent on the MLB roster and in the minors can help land just about any player. They have a lot of starting pitchers heading into free agency next offseason and getting ahead of the game by landing Sale could give them a boost in 2023 and 2024.</p>
<p>Just because St. Louis has talent to spare doesn’t mean they should overpay for Sale. One pitcher they should look to move in the deal is Steven Matz. The lefty starter was signed to what looks like an unfavorable deal last winter. Clearing his roster spot and replacing him with Sale would be humungous. Adding in one decent prospect might even be enough to get the Red Sox to budge and deliver Sale to the Cardinals.</p>
<p>The Cardinals have yet to strike with any major pitching additions this winter. Their club has improved most behind the plate with the free agent signing of Willson Contreras.</p>
<p>The World Series window for the Cardinals is as open as possible in 2023. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado remain two of the best at their positions. Growth from some other players may only make them more of a threat. A healthy year out of Sale anywhere close to what he has been in the past gives the Cardinals an ace we forgot about.</p>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-2355808" src=https://fansided.com/2022/12/25/chris-sale-mlb-rumors-red-sox/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Ffansided.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1435698594.jpeg" alt="MLB rumors, Chris Sale trade destinations" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://fansided.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1435698594.jpeg 1600w, https://fansided.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1435698594-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" /><p class="wp-caption-text">PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: Nick Martinez #21 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game four of the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 22, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3) MLB rumors: The Padres can make room for Chris Sale</h2>
<p>When looking at possible destinations for Chris Sale, it’s important to note which teams might simply do the deal and take on the salary. It needs to be a club in a win-now position, too. They do, of course, also need to have room in the rotation or space to move another player to open up a spot.</p>
<p>This brings us to the San Diego Padres. Although they did sign Seth Lugo this offseason and appear to have a plan to use him as a starter, trading Nick Martinez or moving him to the bullpen could open up a spot for Sale.</p>
<p>The Padres are in a similar spot as the Cardinals except they lack the organizational depth. Their chance to win it all is a little shorter. Next year’s crop of free agents includes some notable players on this roster. They, too, can get a head start by bringing in Sale and giving him a chance to excel with them.</p>
<p>Many of the best Padres prospects were already sent to the Washington Nationals in the Juan Soto deal. Catcher Luis Campusano might be one of the more intriguing young players the Red Sox could look to acquire. Their catcher situation now and in the future is bleak.</p>
<p>When it comes to these MLB rumors about Sale, the next step will be to discover if the Red Sox are looking for legitimate prospects or simply looking to remove the salary. They will likely need to continue paying a portion of his deal. The Padres, who are already deep into trying to win in 2023, can make another big push to add a potential ace to the mix. Taking on Sale’s entire salary could push them ahead of any other contenders.</p>
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