MLB Hot Stove: 5 stars who could be on the move
Brian McCann became the first big MLB name to be traded this offseason. Will any other big stars be on the block?
Free agency is the big story of every MLB offseason, but every year, there are big trades that also help shape the Hot Stove narrative. The first big trade of this offseason saw All-Star catcher Brian McCann moving from the New York Yankees to the Houston Astros. The trade gave the Astros their answer at catcher and allowed the Yankees to dump salary and clear the way for Gary Sanchez to catch every day.
Last year, several big names were traded, including Ken Giles, Mark Trumbo, Aroldis Chapman, Todd Frazier, Craig Kimbrel, and Starlin Castro. With a weak free-agent class mostly devoid of top-flight starting pitching and young sluggers, expect the trade market to be robust once again. Rumors have already begun flying, and the hot stove will only get hotter as the Winter Meeting approach in early December. Here are the five stars most likely to be traded before the 2017 season.
Chris Sale, SP
The 2016 season was clearly one to forget for the White Sox and Sale. Things were ugly from the start, with the Adam LaRoche retirement controversy dividing the clubhouse and the front office. Ace Chris Sale was one of the more vocal supporters of LaRoche and his son Drake, leaving the batboy’s jersey hanging in his locker. Controversy found Sale during the regular season after an ugly disagreement involving scissors and throwback jerseys.
Top top it all off, the White Sox struggled to their fourth losing season in a row despite high expectations and a hot start to the season. Sale was his typical brilliant self, winning 17 games, throwing six complete games, and logging nearly 230 innings. With three years remaining on his incredibly team-friendly contract, Sale is extremely valuable on the trade block. He could net the White Sox three or four top prospects, including MLB ready players who could impact the team immediately.
Rumors have been swirling, and the White Sox are dancing around them while the market develops. Trade talks involving Sale are nothing new given the team’s struggles, but his looks like the year he is finally moved out of Chicago. Interested teams could include the Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and New York Yankees.