Chris Sale is among the best pitchers in baseball and the Chicago White Sox need to rebuild, so naturally, rumors involving him are intensifying as the MLB offseason heats up.
A couple teams have shown interest recently, including a pair of National League East teams.
The Washington Nationals’ season once again ended in the NL Division Series, and a pitching boost could be the addition that allows them to reach the next level.
The Atlanta Braves are at the opposite end of the spectrum. They are a rebuilding franchise, but they already have a franchise cornerstone in starting pitcher Julio Teheran, in addition to plenty of prospects to dangle for a star such as Sale.
Sale went 17-10 with a 3.34 ERA and 233 strikeouts over 226 2/3 innings in 2016.
Several teams reportedly were interested in him before last season’s trade deadline, but the White Sox chose not to deal him. They don’t have to be in any rush to trade Sale, either, because he’s not eligible for free agency until 2020 and will only make $12 million next season.
Thumbnail photo via Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports Images
