Living in Boston, it's difficult to predict what this team will do. The fans are angry. They want a top of the rotation starter. However, Sale is way down their list of candidates. The fans prefer someone with "postseason experience". With that not really being available, they are willing to "settle" for Sale.
I think the FO will acquire someone from what the sports media here are saying, and most of them are in on Sale. However, I'm not sure what the White Sox will get for him. I think that a package of Benintendi, Moncada, and Koepech is unlikely.
One interesting play, that I think could happen if Reinsdorf was willing to open his wallet a bit, is to take David Price and prospects for Sale. The fans here hate Price and I would expect the FO to try and move him. By taking that contract off of the Red Sox hands (and they'd likely eat some depending on the prospects they give up), we can stay relatively competitive in the short term and potentially acquire a couple of prospects that are 2 years away. And we might also be able to add a young guy who can help but not be a major impact player right now.
And, I'm wondering if there is a bigger possibility here. What if we sent the Red Sox Sale and a bat to replace Ortiz? What could we get for a Sale-Abreu package. Price, Benintendi, Moncada, and perhaps a couple of more prospects? What about Sale-Melky? These moves would benefit both teams I think.
I don't know how motivated Boston is given all of their top prospects, but I'd spend a lot of time talking with Boston this winter. The other team to talk to is the Yankees. If they think a top SP puts them over the top, get them into a bidding war with the Red Sox.
