Chris Sale, the young ace of the Chicago White Sox, could be on the trading block come the July 31 deadline, and the Rockies need to take notice.
The White Sox started the season 24-10 and were a way-too-early pick to win the AL Central in large part thanks to their left-handed pitching machine.
As some foresaw, the White Sox went 11-26 over the next 37 games and are now fourth in the Central, 5.5 games back of the surprising Indians and 4.5 behind the second Wild Card spot.
And while a climb back into playoff contention is not out of the realm of possibilities, hopes are fading fast.
Their pitching staff, after getting out to a hot start (Mat Latos started off 4-0 (0.74 ERA) and Jose Quintana started off 5-1 (1.38 ERA)), has sputtered. Quintana lost his next six games, and while Latos still has a solid record (6-2), his ERA has climbed to over 4.00.
Now would be a great time for the Sox to initiate a rebuild, and trading Sale might be the best way to do that, because they haven’t been able to win with him anyway, posting a sub-.500 record in the last three seasons.
For the Rockies, this makes sense financially and in the long term.
Sale is only making $9.15 million this season and is only owed $12 million in 2017. He then has a team option in 2018 and ’19.
His talent would demand a lot in return from the Rockies, but now is the time to improve the one thing that has been keeping them away from making a run: Pitching.
The Rockies starting rotation is one of the worst in the league, ranking 28th with a 5.15 ERA. Their pitchers have also let in the second-most runs in the majors, behind the worst team in the league, the Twins.
Chris Sale would bring the team a whole lot of confidence and a feared No. 1, something the Rockies haven’t had since Ubaldo Jimenez. Sale currently leads the league in wins (11), and has an ERA under three.
It would also help Jon Gray, who wouldn’t have the expectations of being the Rockies’ ace put on him too quickly. Together, though, they could form a powerful one-two punch; both Gray and Sale each lead their teams in strikeouts.
Likewise, Tyler Chatwood has shown he is worthy of a job in the rotation, leading the team in wins (8), but he is more of a No. 3 starter than a No. 2. Chad Bettis and Jorge De La Rosa, if healthy, can be a solid four and five in the rotation, too.
Who would the White Sox want in return?
Maybe Carlos Gonzalez? The White Sox could use some help in the outfield, as Austin Jackson and Avisail Garcia have not been consistent. Jackson has proved to be injury prone and Garcia is only hitting .254 with five home runs and 24 RBIs. Adam Eaton and Melky Cabrera have played well and adding Gonzalez to that outfield could give the team the power boost they need.
The Sox, like many other ball clubs, might not want to take on Gonzalez’s contract, though, which pays him $17 million this year and another $20 million in 2017. If the Rockies were able to retain Gonzalez, their offense would continue to be a powerhouse and Sale might end up having some of the best run support a pitcher could want.
The White Sox might also be looking to upgrade their middle infield. With Jimmy Rollins’ release and with Brett Lawrie struggling, the Sox could use a prospect in the infield.
Let me introduce you to Brendan Rodgers. He is the No. 1 prospect in the Rockies’ farm system and he’s only 19 years old. Rodgers is batting .291 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs and has the potential to be a Troy Tulowitzki-type player. Before you start asking why would you give up a 19-year-old with the potential to become a star, ask yourself this: Where would you play him and when?
Scouts can see Rodgers becoming a third baseman if things don’t work out at short or second, but who is he taking over for at the big league level? DJ LeMahieu is leading the team with a .318 batting average, Nolan Arenado is one of the top five players in the entire league and Trevor Story is probably going to win NL Rookie of the Year. There aren’t many places you can put Rodgers, even when he’s ready to make the jump.
Likewise, Riley Pint, the first-overall draft pick for the Rockies this year is bound to become a top-of-the-rotation guy too, which might make Jeff Hoffman, the top prospect Colorado received in the Tulo deal, expendable, especially if he can help the organization grab a top-line starter right now.
Whoever the Rockies are willing to give up, though — and there are plenty of other options both teams could explore — trading for Sale would be huge for the franchise. Not only could he help push the Rockies into playoff contention this year, but he could help them solidify a pitching staff going forward, too. A long-term rotation of Sale, Gray and Pint could prove deadly for the rest of the National League.