White Sox: Sale’s Front Office Issues Won’t Play Role in Trade Talks

Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Sale‘s relationship with the front office won’t play a role in trade talks. Rick Hahn told reporters at the GM Meetings it will be a nonfactor. Sale had several run-ins with the front office this season.

If the Chicago White Sox trade Chris Sale, it won’t be because of this relationship with the front office. Rick Hahn told reporters Sale’s relationship with the front office will be a non-factor in trade talks, according to ESPN’s Jerry Cransick. The lefty had several disputes with the front office, specifically executive vice president Ken Williams this season.

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The White Sox suspended Sale for cutting up jerseys before a game and he reportedly got into a screaming match with Williams over the treatment of Adam LaRoche. Since then, he has become the topic of many trade talks.

With the current state of the organization, it might not be bad for the team to cut ties. A potential trade could net a return that could turn the team around in just a few seasons. Similar to what the Cubs did.

While it seems like Hahn is saying all the right things, it seems like they’re just setting themselves up to trade Sale. Obviously they would never admit it, but I feel like Hahn’s trying to take heat off Williams for an eventual trade. After all, Sale’s issues are with Williams. He never really had an issue with Hahn or owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

After the rift with management, I don’t see a scenario where Sale can still pitch on the South Side. In fact, I don’t see why he would. He accused the Sox of being more about money than winning. Seeing how this team is run has me in total agreement with him. I don’t see this organization ever in the hunt for top free agent targets or even looking to make their team better.

Next: Will Front Office Botch Rebuilding Efforts?

The Sox haven’t done anything this offseason to show me they want to win next season. It seems like a rebuild is inevitable. If that’s true, then trading Sale would make sense. It’s the best way for them to improve this team. And it’s not likely Sale would want to play for this team. He is 27, and he wants to play for a winning organization. The only good thing that can happen is the Sox get a huge return and can compete sooner rather than later.

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