Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears from a source that the White Sox turned down a “king’s ransom” for starter Chris Sale within the last 48 hours. He went on to explain that the White Sox aren’t going into the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline with the intent to sell, but added that the organization sounds “open-minded.”
It’s easy to understand why the White Sox would want to hold onto Sale. He’s a once-in-a-generation pitcher, but he’s also relatively affordable for the next three seasons: $12 million in 2017, $12.5 million if the club picks up his option, and $13.5 million if the club picks up his option.
Sale is currently the major league leader in wins with 14 while carrying a 3.18 ERA and a 129/29 K/BB ratio in an AL-high 133 innings. He has made the AL All-Star team in five consecutive season and has finished within the top-five in AL Cy Young voting in each of the last three seasons.
Rosenthal also noted that it seems unlikely the White Sox agree to move Sale’s rotation mate Jose Quintana.