Chris Sale throws a pitch during the 87th Annual MLB All-Star Game at PETCO Park on July 12, 2016. (Photo : Getty Images/Harry How)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are just two and a half games behind NL West leaders San Francisco Giants. However, they may be without ace Clayton Kershaw for the rest of the season and the latest rumors suggest that they might go after Chris Sale.
Kershaw, arguably the best pitcher in baseball for the past three years, has been out since June 26 due to a back injury. The worst scenario for the Dodgers is that their ace will undergo surgery which could cause him to miss the rest of the season.
Losing Kershaw will affect the Dodgers bid for the playoffs unless they can find a good pitcher to replace their ace if he misses time. One of the possible targets for Los Angeles is Sale, who is currently suspended for five games due to a clubhouse incident.
The ace of the Chicago White Sox is the second-best left-handed pitcher in baseball behind Kershaw. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Dodgers will be aggressive in acquiring Sale once the White Sox makes him available.
It should be noted that the White Sox have not made Sale available but the organization might change their mind before the deadline. The Dodgers are reportedly prepared to send their top pitching prospect, 19-year-old left-hander Julio Urias, to get Sale.
The 27-year-old has had issues with the White Sox front office since early in the season and it could lead to him getting traded. However, he is having a great season despite those issues. He is currently 14-3 with 3.19 ERA and 129 strikeouts.
When asked about the trade rumors, Sale mentioned that he does not want to be dealt this season. He revealed that he wants to win the World Series in Chicago but also mentioned that he does not know what the White Sox front office is planning for him.
"Our main focus should be winning. I know that every single player comes in ready to win every day. I can't speak on anybody else. I don't think I would be traded. I don't know for sure. I don't know what they are thinking now or what's going on," Sale said in an interview with MLB.com.
On the other hand, the Dodgers will certainly need to make a trade at the deadline even if Kershaw avoids injury. They need insurance as they try to overtake the Giants in the standings. Some of the possible candidates include Jose Quintana, Ivan Nova and Rich Hill.
Check out the video below to see Sale record a career-high of 15 strikeouts.
