The White Sox discussed left-handed aces Chris Sale and Jose Quintana with the Red Sox prior to the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline, but Boston was unwilling to part with center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. for either, reports Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago.
It’s unclear if any other players were involved in the teams’ talks, but had the Red Sox given up Bradley for Sale or Quintana, they would have damaged one area of their roster to improve another. That’s something contending teams are especially loath to do during the season. However, the two clubs could resume negotiations in the offseason, writes Levine.
Bradley broke out offensively last summer and is now in the midst of his best full season at the major league level, having slashed .272/.349/.499 with 21 home runs in 510 plate appearances. He has also provided value on the base paths, with FanGraphs rating him as the 13th-best base runner in the league, as well as in the field. The 26-year-old ranks top five among center fielders in Defensive Runs Saved (nine), Ultimate Zone Rating (3.4) and UZR/150 (4.9). Bradley’s defensive work has earned plaudits since his major league career began in earnest two years ago, but it took some time for his output at the dish to catch up. Now, given his explosion with the bat, Bradley looks poised to land a significant raise in arbitration during the offseason as a likely Super Two player, which MLBTR’s Jeff Todd touched on earlier this week. That will be the first of four possible arbitration trips for Bradley, who has easily outperformed his $536,500 salary this season.
As is the case with Bradley, Chicago’s two 27-year-old front-line starters are bargains. Sale, who’s in his fifth straight year as an elite-level ace, is controllable from 2017-2019 for around $40MM. Like Sale, Quintana has turned in quality seasons for a half-decade, and his contract is even more appealing than his teammate’s. Quintana will make $14.35MM over the next two seasons and then up to $21MM more with a pair of $10.5MM club options that run through 2020.
While neither Sale nor Quintana is a lock to go anywhere during the winter, that could change if the White Sox decide to rebuild. Chicago is on track to miss the playoffs for an eighth straight year, and general manager Rick Hahn indicated Thursday that the franchise’s direction will become clear early in the offseason. If the White Sox choose to shop at least one of Sale or Quintana, the weak free agent market for pitchers would make the upcoming offseason an ideal time for it, as Levine notes. Any team in need of pitching – including Boston – would likely inquire on either or both, thereby enabling Chicago to spark a bidding war.
That’s tough. I’m a sox fan, and was one of the people against trading jbj when he wasn’t clicking at the plate. But if the white sox weren’t asking for moncada or bentiendi in addition to jbj (obviously other prospects would be included) that would be a brutal call to make.
I would think that at least one of them two would still be in the deal
You take Moncada, Kopech, Benintendi and Groome off the table and JBJ would be movable in my book for one of those 2, even if Devers was included.
Lol greedy much it’ll take a lot for sale silly redsoxs fans
I remember u.. The loony brave guy who thought back of the rotation starter (in the AL) Teheran was worth all those prospects I named above.. Hmph..
JBJ still has 4y team control, has power, gets on base, GG calibur CF and Devers is BA top 20.. Both preseason and mid season rankings.
That would be enough to get both teams talking with regards to any deal for either Sale OR Quintana and Boston still has other pieces, without including those named above in the farm system.. Mauricio Dubon, other basabe brother. Nick Longhi.. it’s not a barren system.
We’re good, we don’t need Sale or Quintana. I rather grab up another big bat in like Encarnacion instead of a pitcher this off season.
Imagine what are record would be if we had E-Rod was healthy at the start of the season. And now Buchholz is pitching his butt off also. We have enough in the rotation department what we need now is some good arms in the pen and we’ll be all set. Since i think Price will be better next year kind of like Porcello did.
It’s hard to play in Boston the media is a headache and the owners have no idea about the game of baseball. All they have is money and sometimes don’t even use that right like in the case of J.Lester.
Dumbo just needs to build a pen that’s worth a crap for once in his life, since he had the same problem in Detriot.
After reading this tortuous post, you calling anyone Dumbo (let alone a proven success) is the most laughable thing I’ve read all day. Thank you for the entertainment.
yea, take all of the top prospects off the table for an ace.
As for JBJ, this is one of the reasons why Williams and Hahn are such poor GMs. They get fixated on players and are willing to pay extra to get him…and usually the player doesn’t warrant that (they aren’t exactly plus talent-evaluators).
As for Groome, many teams passed on him. Yea, i know, he’s now a top prospect…complements of the Red Sox prospect hype-machine.
Don’t worry. The Red Sox will come to their senses after they get smoked in the playoffs. No ace-caliber pitching = early playoff exit.
Royals DID prove it last year….they had ace caliber pitching in their bullpen.
Royals did prove it last year with ace caliber pitching in their bullpen.
“”ace caliber pitching in their bullpen”
I don’t think you understand what an ace is lol.
And I’m not sure how David Price, the AL Cy Young runner up last season and former CYA winner, who’s managed a 2.87 ERA and 1.21 WHIP the past two months after a slow start, isn’t considered an ace.
Or Rick Porcello, who’s among the league leaders in wins, complete games, adjusted ERA, BB/9, BB/K, WHIP, and complete games. In ten starts since July, the guy is 8-1 with a 2.48 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 8.17 K/9 rate, and 9.43 K/BB ratio.
How’s Price in the playoffs? Jays had him last year
You came to the wrong place if you are arguing about the poor performance in small sample sizes of a few Octobers….
“ace caliber pitching in their bullpen”
and McDonalds has gourmet caliber food at McCafe!
Price isn’t that great in the playoffs. 2-7 with a 5.12 ERA.
Just like how the Chi-Sox came to their senses after those first few weeks of the season. That Shields deal is looking great now!!
lol Groome’s prospect status has nothing to do with being in Boston. Coming up to the draft he was the top high school talent, possibly the number one overall pick, for most evaluators. He was passed because on because of his reported financial demands. Boston took a chance and was able to sign him. He’s easily a top five talent from the draft.
The sox could just sign a FA to replace JbJ if they dish him
Moncada or Benintendi should be off the table in any trade talks, as well as Betts and Bogaerts.
But I don’t think you can take Kopech or Groome off if you’re trying to get a player like Chris Sale.
With JBJ headlining, Devers is a must. Kopech or Groome is also a must (probably not both, though). Then you’ll need a few more, too – Basabe, Dubon, Swihart, Ball. I think that’s pretty fair compensation for Quintana easily, maybe Sale, but if it turns into a bidding war, Boston will probably lose with that offer. If it comes down to it, could throw in E-Rod, too.
You can’t take one of Mincada, Beneintendi, Kopech, or Groome off the table in a Sale deal. It would have to be 1 player off the major league roster, in this case JBJ, and 1 of any of those 4 players mentioned, along with Devers. Simple as that.
Groome would not have available to trade prior to the deadline due to drafting rules. Now if the conversation continues in the off season then yes he will be available to trade just like Dansby Swanson.
You can trade him…enough. Player to be named later. That’s how the Nats landed Trea Turner. When the three team deal went down, Turner wasn’t available to be moved but they could PtbNL and move him then
And, in large part because of the Turner deal, that rule has since been changed.
Should have sold high
I think the White Sox would want JBJ, Travis Shaw and Groome for Sale and Todd Frazier.
Not near enough going to Chicago. Add in one of your big two at least
Not even close from a White Sox viewpoint. They would want more for Sale and that silly offer has Frazier going with Sale?? Huh?
not even enough for sale by himself, let alone with the Todd father
Why would the white sox want shaw? He’s not that good.
That’s absolutely insane, Bradley is nowhere as valuable as Sale or Quintana. Chicago should be asking for Betts, Moncada, Benintendi for either of those two. You don’t get superstar SPs for nothing less than fellow elite talent.
First of all, Betts is worth more than either Sale or Quintana, so the Red Sox probably wouldn’t even consider the second offer. Never mind adding top prospects on top of him..
You’re insane.
Quintana is averaging 4.5 WAR a season.
Sale is averaging 5.5 WAR a season.
Betts is averaging 6.8 WAR a season.
Boston wouldn’t do Betts for either straight up!
And then on top of that you want the unanimous number one prospect in baseball and another top ten prospect with 6 more years of control who’s already succeeded in the major leagues?
I agree and and remember Betts’ plays RF which unlike CF is not a premium position meaning he doesn’t get the WAR boost he will get if he did play CF, SS or another premium position.
Robertson/Frazier to Red Sox for Devers and others not on Red Sox 40 Man Roster by 9-1 because both will make it to Red Sox on Waviers.
As a White Sox fan, I would do that – Robertson/Frazier for Devers plus some lower level prospects.
That said, I don’t think they Sox will trade any of those guys. They’ll probably sign Reddick or someone like that and overpay for a catcher.
If they had a chance to get Sale the Red Sox were stupid to make JBJ a stumbling block. Boston has good young OFers who could have taken his place. He hit some HRs but who doesn’t in Boston and is only hitting .275…not exactly great. I’m surprised Dombrowski backed off this trade, they must have wanted much more than JBJ, like JBJ and their 3 top prospects.
I’d gladly give up jbj for sale… Jbj has really tailed off since the all star break. He batted 9th last night lol. I get his defense is top notch, but an ace for a number 9 hitter? Hmmmm….
JBJ could bat leadoff but the Sox already use Betts/Pedrioa as lead off men.. Putting JBJ in the 9 hole is like having a 2nd leadoff spot. That’s the only reason he is batting 9th.
Also, look at the Red Sox lineup. Everyone can hit.
As soon as the Sox start shopping Sale and Quintana during the offseason, Boston will have to step up their offer. Pitchers like these almost never get moved, but they are a bugtime gamechanger for a team on the brink of winning a championship. My best guess is Sale heads to Texas and Q goes to Boston.
lol bugtime
I do not think Texas will be too involved. Between the Hamels trade last year and Lucroy the Rangers have lost some prospects. If the Sox due attempt to trade Sale or Quintana can you imagine all the frenzy that will stir up. Lots of clubs will be calling and rumors running wildly. I look forward to the offseason should be fun.
Can’t see Texas going after Sale, either.
Assuming Odor and Mazara are off the table, that package would need to be headlined by Gallo and Profar and also include Mendez, Taveras, and a few others.
Texas always seems to be able to have a stocked farm, but I can’t see them wanting to do this. It would take away some major league ready depth and completely deplete their farm system to one of the worst in the majors. In my opinion, with the trades for Gallardo, Beltran, Hamels, and LuCroy, Texas just doesn’t have the depth to make a deal for Sale at this point.
The last time Bruce Levine was right about anything that happened with the White Sox, Harry Truman was president.
The report wouldn’t surprise me if its right because Kenny Williams is running the Sox and he’s going to get a black toolsy outfielder before he leaves …….. He’s only drafted 20 of them in rounds 1-5 of draft and they all Strikeout 200 times and Hit 205 in Single A
But my Prediction is that Sale is Traded to Pirates with Mccutchen headlining the package
Doesn’t make much sense. McCutchen is 30 next year, a free agent after 2017 and due to make nearly $30 million the next two seasons.
White Sox won’t be in any better a position to contend with McCutchen instead of Sale, plus they lose flexibility to sign free agents.
If Chicago trades Sale and/or Quintana, they’re going to go after young talent with more controllable years than McCutchen.
You are exactly right. A team is not going to get Sale without giving up a young center fielder along with a young catcher or third baseman and your top pitching prospect. And for you Red Sox fans, Devers doesn’t fit the bill.
It would be nice if Sox could trade Melky trade Robertson and Spend some $ on a catcher , a DH , and some more relief pitchers but that would make to much sense instead they’ll trade Sale and Q and get Fleeced because Kenny Williams Sucks
you guys are acting like the Red Sox backed away from sale for jbj straight up. All this means is that the Red Sox didn’t want to give up their top prospects while giving up part of the big league team… not trading jbj as the main piece in a sale deal
Halos, this is it exactly! The WS are looking for a young, controllable & solid major league piece like Bradley Jr. to be included and competitive teams usually don’t tear apart their lineup even if they have replacement pieces waiting in the wings. In my opinion, Sale goes, not Quintana, and I think Dodgers or Cardinals are the two most likely trading partners.
The clue to what the White Sox will do with Sale or Quintana is Justin Morneau. If they offer Morneau a one or two year extension,i doubt the Sox will deal either of them, They will hire a new manager, point to Carlos Rodon’s strong 2nd half, claim that Abreu’s power will return next year and that Frazier won’t hit .215 again. They’ll buy a CF and a C and say everything is hunky-dory for next season. Anybody care to make a friendly wager?
Sale sure would look good in a Cardinal uniform!!!
He’d look GREAT, not just good, in every uniform–including the throwback uniform he refused to wear. Everybody obviously wants him and/or Quintana. Considering their contract status and insane, consistent production, either will command a whole lot.
“Red sox are stupid for not trading jbj for Sale”. This sounds a lot like how they were stupid for not trading blake swihart for cole hamels(ignoring the inclusion of betts/bogartes/etc)….oh yeah, because it’s not a 1 for 1….
The red sox front office is not stupid. They would not have passed on chris sale or quintana in a 1:1 swap of jbj.