The situation that the Chicago White Sox have been in over the past month is a lot like the position the New York Yankees were in marketing relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller in July: The White Sox have control of the best possible options, a tremendous seller's position.
Chris Sale was far and away the best starting pitcher who will be moved in any deal this winter, and now Jose Quintana becomes the clear second-best option. In dangling Chapman and Miller, the two best relievers available before the trade deadline, the Yankees were able to go through a deliberate, exhaustive process designed to extract the best possible deals.