White Sox Improve Farm System With Trade of Chris Sale

White Sox make blockbuster trade sending All-Star pitcher to Red Sox in exchange for solid prospects. White Sox farm system received much needed boost.

The Chicago White Sox made a huge splash on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings as they traded its best player in Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox. The White Sox traded the five-time All-Star pitcher to the Red Sox in exchange for four Red Sox prospects. Those prospects include the top prospect in baseball in second baseman Yoan Moncada.

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Other prospects included in the trade for Sale are pitchers Michael Kopech and Victor Diaz and outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe. Moncada, the top prospect in baseball is now the White Sox top prospect according to mlbpipeline.com. Kopech is the White Sox second top prospect, while Basbae is seventh and Diaz is 29^th.

The White Sox were able to get these players in return for Sale, a perennial Cy Young Award candidate. Sale has a team friendly contract with three years and $38 million remaining. With a weak free agent class of starting pitching, the White Sox were at an advantage in trading Sale. It was reported late on Monday night that the White Sox and Nationals were discussing a trade involving Sale. However, it was the Red Sox that ultimately nabbed the left-handed starting pitcher.

With the trade, the Red Sox have an impressive starting rotation that includes Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello and former Cy Young winner David Price to go along with Sale. The White Sox on the other hand, have added much needed depth to its farm system. The addition of Moncada gives the White Sox flexibility in the infield for 2017 and beyond. Although Moncada experienced some playing time with the Red Sox this season, the White Sox should be cautious with rushing another promotion to the big leagues.

In eight games with the Red Sox, Moncada hit .211 with one RBI to go along with 12 strikeouts. Moncada still has some seasoning in the minor leagues left, and should start next season either in Birmingham or Charlotte. Kopech hasn’t pitched above A-ball and shouldn’t be expected to join the White Sox until next September or in 2018. The 20-year-old right-hander compiled a 4-1 record with a 2.25 ERA for Single-A Salem Red Sox this past season.

Basabe and Diaz could take much longer to reach the majors as both players are still raw. Basabe hit .258 in 105 games for Single-A Full Season Greenville Drive. The 20-year-old could start next season with the Kannapolis Intimidators. Diaz, on the other hand was 2-5 with a 3.88 ERA in 37 games for the Drive this past season. He could have a longer path to the majors, but he could provide solid bullpen depth for the White Sox in the near future.

Next: White Sox Trade Chris Sale to Red Sox

The White Sox could continue adding depth to its farm system with more trades this offseason. With Jose Abreu reportedly drawing interest from the Colorado Rockies, and Todd Frazier reportedly being targeted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rick Hahn might not be done rebuilding. The White Sox badly needed to rebuild and they’re finally doing it at the right time.