White Sox Won't Take Calls From Cubs On Chris Sale? Let's Recall Some Context
(CBS) Five days before the baseball world convenes for the Winter Meetings -- assuming a lockout doesn't halt the headlining Hot Stove event -- the White Sox on Tuesday found themselves in the headlines regarding a nugget about the availability of ace left-hander Chris Sale on the trade market.
Specifically, the conversation centered on ESPN's Buster Olney reporting that the White Sox "have told the Cubs they won't deal with them" -- presumably because they don't want to face the blowback of trading with an inner-city rival. The line has quickly caused the White Sox to draw criticism for an obvious reason: If they're set on dealing Sale as a mega move in a rebuild, they shouldn't limit their return or leverage because of scrutiny they could potentially face on a daily basis in their city.
Olney reported the nugget via anonymous sources as part of a bigger piece, not the focus of his story, so it's worth adding some context to this. Because the speculation surrounding Sale -- a top pitcher in the game who's under contract control for three more years at around $38.5 million -- isn't going to end.
For one, the general idea of all this -- that a major Cubs-White Sox trade won't come to fruition -- comes as zero surprise. In early August, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer went on the record in explaining why a trade with the White Sox would be unlikely. His point was when you deal from a position of power with a lesser team in your proximity -- geographically speaking or within your division -- you'd have to pay a "tax."
"Given our situation, you had two active sellers in our division, one active seller in our city, and so it's really hard to do deals with those teams," Hoyer said, referencing the Brewers, Reds and White Sox. "There's probably a tax you have to pay or not be able to get a deal done.
"It's hard. There are discussions that go on, but we also have discussions with the teams in our division. You just don't see a lot of trades in divisions — not only our division, but other divisions. And having the multiple teams in the same city, I do think that's a challenge. I think that there's going to be a lot more focus or scrutiny on a deal that's made between (the Cubs and White Sox). At some level, I think that both teams are aware of that. I think when we were sellers (in years past), we had some awareness of that, and I'm sure on the other side of town, there's some awareness of that as well. I wouldn't say never. There might be a deal that makes sense someday, but (the White Sox) are certainly not a team we look at as a likely trade partner."
For two, it'd be quite the departure from past beliefs for White Sox general manager Rick Hahn to senselessly throw away potential leverage. He's regarded around the game as an intelligent executive.
"If we were to suddenly remove potential suitors from the market for our players, I don't see how that necessarily enhances our ability to do what's best for the White Sox," Hahn said in summer 2015 about a potential trade with the Cubs.
So the likely scenario now? Hahn is asked about the report at the Winter Meetings and denies that the White Sox informed the Cubs they wouldn't deal with them. Then trade talks surrounding Sale continue with a bevy of other talent-rich organizations.
Just like everyone hinted at and expected previously.
