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The Chicago White Sox are 28-36, and sit 10 games behind the Kansas City Royals in the American League Central division. The team made a number of offseason improvements, and they were expected to be a dark horse playoff contender, but things aren’t going that way, and it may be time to start looking towards 2016.
With the team struggling, there have been rumors floating around that the White Sox could make ace, Chris Sale, available on the trade market. The farm system is currently one of the worst in MLB, and trading Sale would allow the team to add two or three top-flight prospects to their system. As great as Sale has been, the club hasn’t given him any help. It would benefit the entire organization to let him go to a contender and compete for a World Series title, while the White Sox could begin another partial rebuild.
Although the White Sox don’t like to acknowledge the other team in Chicago, it would behoove them to take a look at what the Chicago Cubs have done and try to emulate their blueprints. The Cubs understood that they weren’t going to compete for years, so team president, Theo Epstein, and general manager, Jed Hoyer, sold off whatever assets they could, and got top-prospects in return. Now the Cubs are loaded with young talent, and look ready to compete for a playoff spot in 2015.
Another factor with Sale is whether or not he will be able to stay this dominant through the entirety of his contract, which expires in 2019. Sale throws across his body, and it’s mechanics like his that tend to lead to future arm or elbow issues. If the White Sox could deal him while he’s healthy and dominant, the team would maximize the value they would get in return. Striking while the iron is hot is how to get a trade that ends up being favorable.
The White Sox aren’t going to be contenders anytime soon, and Sale is the team’s most valuable asset. It makes sense to trade him to better prepare the club for the future. In fact, general manager, Rick Hahn, should make every player on the roster available, except Jose Abreu and Carlos Rodon. There isn’t anyone else on the 25-man roster who is worth keeping around besides those two guys. Hahn needs to admit defeat, and rebuild the White Sox through the minor league system.
Jason Fletcher is a MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.
