Photo Credit: USA Today
The Boston Red Sox have received Chris Sale from the Chicago White Sox. The deal included Boston giving up prospects, including Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech, in exchange for the 5-time All-Star. This is a big trade in the baseball universe, as Sale is considered to be one of the best pitchers in the MLB today. He has amazing control and one of the best sliders in the entire MLB. Many believed he was good enough to win the Cy Young award, and would’ve had he played for a team closer to contending.
The Red Sox now are set up to have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. They also acquired 8th inning shutdown reliever Tyler Thornburg. They had to give up third basemen Travis Shaw in the deal. They had one of the best offenses in baseball last year, but they ultimately fell due to the lack of ability to shut down the Cleveland Indians’ high powered offense. The addition of Thornburg dramatically increases the chance of winning games when on the line. The addition of Sale, however, is much more valuable. One of the best pitchers in the game, Sale now joins a roster containing Cy Young winner Rick Porcello, giving them a pitching duo comparable to that of the 2015 Los Angeles Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw and Zach Greinke). David Price should also create a trio that baseball has not seen in an exceptionally long time. Clay Buchholz isn’t that bad himself. Moving Shaw made them take a hit to their offense, in addition to David Ortiz retiring. However, the offense will still be very potent with MVP candidate Mookie Betts, along with Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackie Bradley Jr. I do not think that the Red Sox will struggle to put up runs.
Last year, Boston was many people’s favorite to come out of the American League and possibly win the World Series. With the addition of Chris Sale, they now have an unfathomable roster stacked with talent. With most of their stars still young, the Red Sox have built the foundation of a future dynasty, where the beginning of wining pennants could begin as soon as next year. While there is still a lot of free agency to go through and other title contenders will emerge, the Boston Red Sox are now set up to be in the conversation as 2017 World Series champions.
The White Sox have not completely taken out their team. They have simply given up on making their team into a contender, and have decided to instead begin the rebuilding process. For a team with as little hope as they have (let’s be honest), this is quite a start. Moncada and Kopech, both under 22 years of age, are known as prized possessions throughout baseball. Kopech in particular seems exceptionally good. At 20 years old, he has the potential to one day be a superstar and bring this team to contend for a championship.
Fortunately for the residents in Chicago, the Cubs have finally won the World Series. The bad news is that the White Sox have quite the uphill battle in order to become a threat in the American League. However, this is a good start to a team trying to enter a rebuilding state, while also making the blockbuster trade that will make the Boston Red Sox one of the most feared team in sports.
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