White Sox: Is Asking Price for Chris Sale Realistic?
By Matt Manetti
The White Sox are shopping Chris Sale and the asking price is huge. Reports have indicated the price is higher than the trade deadline. Is such a huge asking price even realistic?
It’s no secret the Chicago White Sox are listening to offers for Chris Sale. He’s one of the best pitchers in baseball. And he could command a king’s ransom. Recent reports have suggested the Sox asking price is higher than it was at the trading deadline. There aren’t many teams who could afford to meet the huge asking price for Sale. And more so, are there teams out there prepared to do so?
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I understand why they would set the price so high. When you are considering trading a guy of Sale’s talent, you want to make sure you get the best deal possible. However, they may need to compromise or be willing to back off their price. Something I’m not sure they are willing to do. Whatever the case is, they need to make sure they come out the winners. Anything less would amount to failure. And once again the Sox would become the laughing stock of baseball.
As fans we want to see this team succeed. It’s hard to believe trading Sale would be the answer but they’re not winning with him. So there’s really no difference. Trading him would infuse this team with young talent, with an eye towards the future. However, I could see this playing out a whole different way and Sale staying with the Sox in 2017.
It’s quite possible the front office could be setting us up for another season with Sale by simply demanding such a high asking price. If no one is able or willing to meet such a steep price, it gives the organization the chance to look at the fans as if to say “we tried improving the roster by trading our best player but nobody bit or nobody gave us the value we felt was fair.”
We’ve heard there’s plenty of teams interested in adding the Cy Young award candidate but we haven’t heard about any solid offers. Part of that could be because the Sox may not willing to negotiate with teams. They want who they want or else no deal. It’s a hard stance and one that may dissuade teams from entering into talks with the Sox. After all, most of the time in trades there is negotiation involved, whether it be on players or cash. This deal may be one where you either meet the asking price or you won’t have a deal.
I can’t blame the Sox for doing this but one has to wonder if they’re doing this as a way to mask their unwillingness to trade Sale. If that’s the real reason behind the seemingly steep asking price, then they should just come out and say it. A lot of fans are on the fence about whether or not trading Sale is what’s in the best interests of the organization. There are pros and cons to both sides but that doesn’t really matter. What matters is what the front office’s plan really is. And if I’m a rival club, I’m not so sure I would be willing to meet such a high asking price, especially with a team that isn’t willing to negotiate.
Next: Should Chris Sale Be Traded to the Cardinals?
So I ask our readers to put on there general manager cap and answer this; If you’re a rival club, would you be willing to trade five of your best top prospects for Sale? Feel free to leave your answers in the comments below. We look forward to hearing your thoughts!