Chris Sale trade not without risks — for both sides

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Chris Sale delivers a pitch agaisnt the Minnesota Twins on the last day of the 2016 season. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — It seems more a matter of when, not if, Chris Sale will be traded by the White Sox, with the Sox more open to the idea than ever here at baseball’s Winter Meetings. The best path to fielding a winner has been identified as a rebuild rather than going for it now as the Sox have in recent years.

But it takes two to tango, and whether another team is willing to meet the Sox’ steep asking price for their five-time All-Star left-hander is the question of the week. The Nationals are interested, but supposedly not for top middle infield prospect Trea Turner, 23. The Braves are, too, but they’ve indicated stud 22-year-old middle infielder Dansby Swanson is off limits. The Sox would want Red Sox prized infield prospect Yoan Moncada or outfielder Andrew Benintendi in a package.

While those teams and others could package four top-100 prospects in a deal for Sale in a quantity-for-proven-quality exchange for a Sox organization lacking in depth, such dice rolls make chairman Jerry Reinsdorf a bit skittish.

“I’ve seen so many players over the years who were going to be phenoms, they were going to be future Hall of Famers, and we don’t even remember what their names are anymore,’’ Reinsdorf told CSN Chicago’s Chuck Garfien here on the first full day of the meetings. “That’s why when you’re trading a player of stature you’ve got to get multiple can’t-miss prospects back. That’s why it makes it tough to trade a player of great stature.”

Reinsdorf said it would take “four prospects that can’t miss,’’ a big request at a time when prospects are held in higher regard as valued chips more than ever.

Sale is a proven sure thing, and yet whispers and texts floating around the Gaylord National Resort brought back to light the worry the left-hander’s delivery might be of some concern to potential trade partners, even though Sale has had minimal health issues since the Sox drafted him in the first round of the 2010 draft. Some suspect that talk is an effort to knock the price down.

In any event, not everyone shares concerns about Sale’s durability.

“Nope, he’s a genetic freak,’’ said a veteran evaluator from outside the Sox organization who scouted Sale in college.

“As long as he doesn’t hurt his legs, that’s who he is. Just a freak. The reason they were able to get him [13th overall in the 2010 draft] where they got him was because of [his delivery]. Everybody predicted that from the moment they saw him. I saw him pitch [in college] and it’s the same delivery he’s got today.

“I’m not a doctor but when you’re able to do things throwing-wise, keeping your hand on top of the ball at all times and that’s how you’ve been throwing since you were a little kid … I’m not predicting any blowouts.’’

In the end, with a Sale-for-prospects deal there is risk on both sides — as with any trade. But only the first year of the remaining three on Sale’s team-friendly contract ($12 million in 2017, $12.5 million in ’18, $15 million in ‘19) is guaranteed with the club holding options on the last two years, so how great a risk can Sale be?

“Absolutely [he is a risk for injury],’’ a veteran American League scout said. “Although it’s really hard to predict, as you know. But when you consider his [lanky] build, and the uniqueness of his delivery … I would use Tim Lincecum as the most recent comparable. Great right out of the chute and held it for five-six years. But when his small build and unique delivery caught up with him he fell off quick. Sale is getting around ‘Lincecum territory’ but let’s be honest, in the end we just don’t know.’’

Sox general manager Rick Hahn said there are no concerns in the Sox camp about Sale’s durability.

“No. No,” he said Monday. “Come on. Did you see what this guy has done in our uniform over the years? We’re as excited to have Chris Sale in our uniform today as the day we drafted him. And realize this is an elite-level talent, a rare commodity in this league and a great, great competitor.”

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