Buster Olney reported Chris Sale is not an option for the Cubs
The White Sox could trade several of their players this winter in order to begin a rebuild on the South Side that is long overdue. The White Sox watched the Cubs win The World Series while suffering through another losing season under then manager Robin Ventura.
The Sox made a change at the managerial position and promoted Rick Renteria. The Sox are believed to be listening to offers for several of their players, including Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier, David Robertson, Adam Eaton and Jose Abreu.
Sox’s GM Rick Hahn is reportedly talking to teams about the second-best left-handed pitcher in the game, Chris Sale. The Sox have placed a large price tag on Sale, and it will take quite the haul for Hahn to trade him. The Sox should try to maximize his value to rebuild an organization that lacks high-end talent, especially position players.
Teams are talking to Hahn about Sale but only a few of those teams have the players it would take to pry him away from the White Sox.
The Dodgers, Nationals, Red Sox, Rangers, Astros, Braves and Cardinals are very interested in Sale. And according to Buster Olney, each of those teams have “a legitimate shot” at landing Sale.
The Cubs have the type of players, both at the Major League level and prospects, it would take to acquire Sale but that deal will not happen.
It’s no secret that the White Sox have an inferiority complex when it comes to the Cubs. No matter how well the Sox play or how many championships are won on the South Side, the White Sox will always be second in Chicago to the Cubs.
Jerry Reinsdorf cannot stand the Cubs and has tried to make it as hard as possible for them to win a championship. Reinsdorf has watched the Cubs build one of the top organizations in the game and this year he saw them win it all while his team continued to struggle.
It’s been known for years that the Sox would not make another significant deal with the Cubs for the fear that it would help them win a World Series. And the Sox are still not willing to trade with the Cubs.
According to Buster Olney, “the White Sox have told the Cubs they won’t deal with them.”
Olney’s report focuses on possible landing spots for Chris Sale and Mike Rizzo’s trade history. And while Olney did not go into specifics on his statement about the Cubs and White Sox, it is safe to say there will not be any deals between the two Chicago teams any time soon.