The 2017 free agent class is historically considered to be one of the worst classes in Major League history. The best two free agents available are closers who will command an ungodly salary due to the fact that it is such a weak class. So what does this mean for clubs like the Cardinals who clearly need to upgrade their roster if they have any aspirations of contending in 2017? Trade time! Luckily for the Cardinals one of the most dominant starters in the game is on the trade block, the long and lanky flamethrower, Chris Sale!
I ask that you imagine this 2017 rotation for the Cardinals; Sale, Martinez, Reyes, Waino, and Leake. Sounds like a dominant rotation right? Sale is clearly one of the most talented starters in today’s game, arguably the second best southpaw in baseball behind a guy out in LA by the name of Kershaw. Sale has been a workhorse since 2013, ranking in the top ten in innings pitched and strikeouts. Sale ranked seventh in WAR among qualified starters in 2016. Sale’s miniscule 2.97 career ERA exemplifies just how truly dominant and reliable he has been since bursting into the big leagues in 2010. Chris Sale’s on-field performance isn’t the only attraction for the Cardinals, his $12.5 million dollar per year salary may arguably be the most attractive fact to an organization as frugal as the Cardinals. Sale is locked up for an additional three seasons up until 2019, so a trade for him would benefit the club for the next three seasons, and not just 2017. To put Chris Sale’s salary into perspective, he would only be the third highest paid pitcher in the Redbird rotation.
Sale would not only benefit the Cardinals on the mound, but in the club house. I realize that this statement sounds utterly ridiculous after his infamous jersey cutting episode last year, but the Cardinals are in dire need of a firey clubhouse presence. On too many occasions last year, the team appeared to be nonchalant and failed to hold players accountable for their play. Clubhouse chemistry plays a significant role in baseball, but too much chemistry can be just as volatile as not enough. It would greatly benefit the team and Matheny to have a player who is not afraid to stir the pot every now and then, and keep the players and coaches engaged and on their toes.
So here comes the big question, what would it cost the Cardinals to acquire such a talent as Chris Sale? The White Sox are clearly in a state of rebuild, and do not appear to be contenders anytime soon, so young, controllable talent will likely be the most attractive to them. Perhaps a package of Luke Weaver, Michael Wacha, Kolten Wong, and either Magneuris Sierra or Harrison Bader would be enough to entice the ChiSox to part ways with Sale? Wong is cost controlled for the next few seasons, and while he struggled in 2016, his ceiling is still extremely high. A change of scenery may benefit Wong, who last year put an extreme amount of pressure upon himself. With Gyorko and Diaz having great 2016 campaigns, and Peralta still under contract, Wong will have a difficult time finding playing time in 2017. Weaver would be a young talent that would be able to take his time maturing on a club that has no expectations, unlike the Cardinals. Wacha is an intriguing young talent who has lost his way over the past season or two, and may highly benefit from a change of scenery. Sierra and Bader are young prospects in the Cardinals farm system, both still very raw, but would be attractive to a rebuilding team like the White Sox. I realize that this sound like an absorbent price to pay for one player, but the opportunity to acquire a cost controlled star such as Sale in an historically weak free agent class, rarely ever presents itself.
The acquisition of Chris Sale would instantly transform the Cardinals’ rotation into one of the most talented in baseball. It would display to the fans and the baseball community that the Cardinals are willing to take risks in order to improve their roster in order to contend with the elite teams in baseball. The Cardinals would have their new ace for many seasons to come, and arguably own the most dominant trio of starters in Sale, Martinez, and Reyes in the game of baseball.
