OXON HILL, Md.
The American League Central is minus one ace.
The Chicago White Sox shook up the Winter Meetings on Tuesday afternoon, sending left-hander Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for highly regarded infield prospect Yoan Moncada, pitcher Michael Kopech and two other prospects. The deal was first reported by Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
The trade signals the start of a rebuilding project in Chicago and cements the Red Sox as the prohibitive favorite in the American League. And the ripple effects could be felt in Kansas City, too.
Sale, 27, is a bonafide ace in a sport where pitching is the most coveted commodity, a five-time All-Star who started the All-Star Game for the American League in 2016 and has struck out more than 200 batters for four straight seasons.