Sox shopping Sale, but it’s unclear if they’ll get their price

If, after only five full seasons as a starter, Chris Sale doesn’t already rank as the best White Sox pitcher of all time, he would without a doubt should he complete the three years left on his contract with performances similar to those

that made him an All-Star and a top-six finisher in Cy Young voting all five years.

Sale set a franchise record with 274 strikeouts in 2015, has five of the best six seasons for strikeouts per nine innings in Sox history and has 35 games with 10 strikeouts or more — more than twice as many as any other Sox pitcher. His ERAs ranged between 2.17 and 3.41.

What’s more, the left-hander is 27, has kept his arm healthy and will work for the phenomenally low cost of $39 million over the next three years (the Sox have options for the 2018 and 2019 seasons). That price is so far below market value that one has to wonder how chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, an astute businessman, would even consider letting him go.

Apparently, as the Sox head to the winter meetings this week near Washington, they’re prepared to do just that. And a significant portion of the team’s fan base, throwing its hands up after four straight losing seasons despite Sale leading a quality starting rotation, seems willing to see it happen because of the potential haul of prospects and major-league-ready young players Sale could bring in return.

For Sox management, this must be a tough pill to swallow — an admission of repeated failure to win with a rotation topped by two All-Stars (Jose Quintana might be on the block, too), not to mention quality core pieces such as outfielder Adam Eaton and first baseman Jose Abreu. Sale is the kind of top-tier asset every team with championship aspirations wants and needs.

The Sox tried to put a winning product on the field (the signings of Melky Cabrera, David Robertson and Adam LaRoche and the trade for Jeff Samardzija two winters ago made general manager Rick Hahn the star of the winter meetings in San Diego). But their losing ways exposed a lack of roster depth and weakness in the farm system, two areas which could be bolstered by trading Sale — and perhaps even more of their top trade chips.

All of which should keep Hahn’s phone buzzing at the Gaylord National Resort on the Potomac River from Monday through Thursday. Sale’s availability will be one of the top national story lines.

As one industry source put it, “It’s an opportunity [for the Sox] to get real young and in numbers. You reset the payroll quite a bit, add young depth, let them grow together, and as they begin to win, there is money to fill in the gaps.’’

The big question, then, is what the Sox can get in return for Sale. Because of his value and contract, he has long been viewed as a player who’d require too much for one team to trade. Hahn is believed to have set an extremely high price of four or five prospects, including three ready to play in the majors now. We may find out this week if the Sox are willing to accept less. Several industry sources say the price could be unreasonable.

Should the Sox hold firm on their demands, there is plenty of offseason left, as well as the 2017 mid-season trade deadline.

Sale’s value is extraordinary, and the fans who support trading him hope Hahn stands firm. As one veteran scout who has watched him since his college days said, “Sale is a special beast.”

Follow me on Twitter @CST_soxvan.

Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com