Unlike last offseason, the Major League Baseball free-agent class this winter is a bit weak, particularly in the starting pitching department. The likes of Zack Greinke, David Price and Johnny Cueto have been replaced with Jason Hammel, Rich Hill and Jeremy Hellickson, among others.
With such a thin market, many teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, may resort to trades to upgrade their rotation. The biggest name that has been floated on the trade market in recent years is Chicago White Sox left-hander Chris Sale.
The Dodgers reportedly pursued a trade for Sale prior to the Aug. 1 non-waiver deadline, but were unwilling to meet the White Sox’s exorbitant asking price.
The White Sox find themselves at a crossroads of sorts as they haven’t reached the postseason since 2008 and finished 78-84 this season. Robin Ventura was replaced as manager, and a rebuild may be on the horizon.
Given that possibility, the Dodgers reportedly will at the very least keep in contact with the White Sox for Sale and Jose Quintana, per Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
Once again, the Dodgers are likely to explore a trade involving Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale, but the prospect of consummating his acquisition remains unlikely unless the price is lowered. The Dodgers will stay in contact with the White Sox to monitor Sale’s availability and that of fellow left-hander Jose Quintana.
Sale and Quintana both had All-Star caliber seasons in 2016. Sale went 17-10 in 32 starts with a 3.34 ERA, 3.46 FIP and 1.04 WHIP, to go along with 233 strikeouts which ranked second in the American League.
Quintana went 13-12 with a 3.20 ERA, 3.56 FIP and 1.16 WHIP, while striking out 181 and walking 50 in 32 starts.
Along with the Dodgers reportedly having interest in the pair of left-handers, a trade with the Detroit Tigers for ace Justin Verlander is said to be ‘brewing.’
