It is being reported, first by Ken Rosenthal, that the Washington Nationals are in talks with the White Sox about pitcher Chris Sale
Update (10:38 p.m ET) – Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio and ESPN has more on what a proposed deal for Chris Sale could look like between the Nats and the White Sox:
The Washington Nationals have been linked in many trade rumors to Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale. Tonight, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and MLB Network tweeted that there is a strong chance that the Nats and White Sox will be able to work out a deal that would involve top outfield prospect Victor Robles and top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito:
Sources: Legitimate chance of Sale trade to #Nationals. Robles, Giolito would go to #WhiteSox. Teams haggling over final pieces in deal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2016
If this deal were to happen, the Washington Nationals would have arguably the best pitching trio in baseball with Sale, Max Scherzer, and Stephen Strasburg. Sale is under team control for three more seasons with team options for 2018 ($12.5 million and 2019 ($13.5 million).
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Amidst all the possible excitement for a possible Sale trade to D.C., Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that nothing is expected to be completed by the end of the night and the White Sox aren’t just talking to the Nats:
The #WhiteSox say they're still having trade talks with several teams about Chris Sale, and no deal with #Nats or anyone expected tonight.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 6, 2016
The deal isn’t done yet, but as Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweeted, there is an executive who believes there is a great chance that the deal will happen:
An exec from another team that has pursued Sale believes it is 80/20 that deal gets done that sends LH ace to #Nationals
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 6, 2016
While no one knows the other pieces in this potential deal besides Giolito and Robles, it would be a win for the Washington Nationals that they wouldn’t have to part with Trea Turner in this deal or any other blockbuster trade. Sale would be the splash that the Nats were looking for made.
Over the last four seasons, Sale has finished in the top five in the American League Cy Young voting. The 27-year-old left-hander went 17-10 this past season and had a 3.34 ERA. Also, the five-time All-Star had a league leading six complete games and was second in the American League in strikeouts (233).
Yes, a package for Chris Sale would mean giving up a lot of the farm system, but he is another elite piece and would bolster a rotation that is already the strength of the organization. Considering how the day began with the Washington Nationals losing out on the Mark Melancon sweepstakes to the Giants, this would be a strong way to end the day.
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Keep it right here on District On Deck for more on the Chris Sale story as it develops.