It appears the Boston Red Sox’s dreams of landing Chris Sale are fading fast.
The Red Sox no longer are in discussions with the Chicago White Sox about trading for the left-handed ace, according to multiple reports.
Told #Redsox are NOT discussing Sale #whitesox
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 1, 2016
Told #RedSox still considering starting pitchers but that Sale is not among them any more (as @Joelsherman1 noted). Cost prohibitive.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) August 1, 2016
There’s little doubting Sale’s talent, as the 27-year-old has a 14-4 record with a 3.30 ERA this season and is a five-time All-Star. Understandably, though, the White Sox’s asking price is very high, as Chicago reportedly wanted several of Boston’s top prospects in return.
The Red Sox have a loaded farm system headlined by infielder Yoan Moncada and outfielder Andrew Benintendi, but it appeared a deal for Sale would have required the club to part with at least one — possibly both — of those players.
If Boston doesn’t end up landing Sale before Major League Baseball’s 4 p.m. ET non-waiver trade deadline, it won’t come away empty-handed — the team shored up its bullpen by acquiring left-handed reliever Fernando Abad from the Minnesota Twins.
Thumbnail photo via Caylor Arnold/USA TODAY Sports Images
