NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Though the Braves have spent the past four years inquiring about Chris Sale's availability, they certainly weren't crushed when they learned the White Sox had traded the left-hander to the Red Sox on Tuesday afternoon.
Once it remained obvious the White Sox were not interested in any package that did not include Dansby Swanson, the Braves were essentially longshot contenders who were not willing to pay the cost it would require to acquire Sale and adversely affect a two-year rebuild that was highlighted by last year's acquisition of Swanson, Ender Inciarte and Aaron Blair from the D-backs in exchange for Shelby Miller.