Chris Sale has been as about as dominant as a pitcher as there has been in the American League since he entered into the rotation.  He is 74 – 50 with a clean 3.00 ERA over his career thus far – wtth 5 straight top 6 Cy Young Finishes and ALL – Star Appearances.  Sale set career highs in Wins (17) CG (6) and IP (226.2) during the last campaign.  He is only set to earn $38 MIL over the next 3 seasons total, so the cap hit is even better news for the Red Sox, who are already nearing the Luxury Tax Threshold Limit, and are subject to a 50% penalty as 3rd time abusers in 2017.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

Follow @stokes_Hunter21 @mlbreports

The Red Sox have landed an ace in the winter for the 2nd straight winter.  Boston has acquired Chris Sale from the White Sox in exchange for Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech – with two other prospects Alexander Basabe  and Victor Diaz also heading to the Pale Hose.

This is the type of trade that brings a championship.  For a MLB club that was right up against the Luxury Tax Threshold already of $195 MIL for 2017, having Sale only making $38 MIL over the next three years is the biggest plus to this pact going down.

Boston loses a young player like Moncada for sure. and he may be World Class in the future, but you have to give something up to get something.  The Beantowners will still also be alright for their future with the likes of Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley JR. just kickstarting their young careers, while they also held onto other great prospects like Andrew Benintendi and Blake Swihart.

They still have plenty of colorful veterans (with plenty of postseason experience) in talking of Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez – and yes even Pablo Sandoval.

Moncada is the main player being acquired by the White Sox in the deal. At just 21 years old, he was ranked the #1 prospect of Boston over the last year, and several places have him in their top 3 overall picks for prospects. Moncada is projected as a 2nd or 3rd Baseman, and at least he is not blocked by Dustin Pedroia.  The Cuban born switch hitter has clubbed 23 HRs and Stolen 94 bags in 711 Minor League AB – with a 3 Slash of .287/.395/.480.  Boston paid a whopping $63 Million for sign Moncada in 2015, that included a $31.5 Deal with a $31.5 MIL penalty for going over their International Drafting Limit.  The $31,5 MIL owed to him in salary will be paid for by the Red Sox as part of the deal.

Dave Dombrowski has outdone himself this time.  The Rotation now features David Price, Chris Sale – 2016 AL Cy Young winner Rick Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez and Drew Pomeranz – with Steven Wright and Clay Buchholz for insurance.  One of the back end Starters may be used as tradebait some time soon.

Earlier in the day, the BoSox all picked up Tyler Thornburg for Travis Shaw, to effectively arm the Staff with another legitimate late inning chucker.  The team can now use Joe Kelly out of the Relief Core permanently, and they have Carson Smith coming back from injury in 2016.  Look the hell out for these guys in 2017.

In a vaunted offensive laden AL East, that has yet to replenish all of the departing Free Agents like  Edwin Encarnacion, Mark Trumbo, Matt Wieters, Pedro Alvarez, Jose Bautista and Michael Saunders – this just serves as another notice for the rest of the Division to fear the Red Sox now having the best offensive lineup – and now Starting Staff.

Boston has quickly answered the bell on how they were going to proceed when David Ortiz retired. They have a great group of veterans, youngsters, and the best Starting Staff now in the AL East – and better than even the Indians.  Yes they are at about $204 MIL for their projected team payroll,  but they are loaded with talent. and not far over the barrier. I expect them to use Blake Swihart and Benintendi both in the outfield, and for DH.  Swihart could also see some AB as a Catcher/1B as well.  The Sox may be done for their big shopping needs before the Winter Meetings are over.

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***

A big thanks goes out to our ‘Chief Writer/Part Owner’ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured post.

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