Terrerobytes: How the Chris Sale deal got done

Whenever a big deal happens, I’m always fascinated with how it gets completed. A deal has been long rumored between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox for Chris Sale, and CSN Chicago’s Dan Hayes had the details.

With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement in place, Hahn called Dombrowski on Friday to initiate the conversation. Hahn said he’d previously fielded calls for a month after having “substantive” discussions at the GM meetings and knew there’d be interest and “positive momentum” once he arrived Sunday. He also knew the Red Sox not only wanted Sale, they had enough in place to make the deal.

I’ve been pretty critical of Rick Hahn passiveness, so it’s a breath of fresh air to read it was he who re-initiated the conversation and pushed Boston to finalize the deal leveraging Washington’s offering. What also helped is that Andrew Benintendi nor Jackie Bradley Jr. were part of the discussion in a possible deal, and Hahn zeroed in on Yoan Moncada.

MLB.com: Chris Sale is thankful for the time in Chicago.

MLB.com’s Scott Merkin exchanged text messages with the Condor’s goodbye message.

"I really appreciate the White Sox fans' support through the years and can't wait to come back to Chicago and see everyone."

Then there is his reaction to being traded to Boston.

Zing!

By the way, Boston visits the GRF, May 29-31. It’ll be a must-attend affair if Sale is scheduled to start any of those games.

Fangraphs: White Sox begin teardown in best way possible

Jeff Sullivan ponders if the White Sox got more than what the Atlanta Braves received in exchange for Shelby Miller last year. Regardless, even though Yoan Moncada is not a lock to succeed, he could be the remedy for those hurting watching Sale leave.

Nightengale: Chris Sale trade could key titles for both Red Sox, White Sox

It should be obvious that the Boston Red Sox are the favorites to win the American League pennant. Many, like USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, think they are the favorites to win the World Series in 2017.

I’m sure the Chicago Cubs will have a lot to say about that, so it’s probably best to pump the brakes on duck boats and parade plans. However, Nightengale thinks the return for Sale could put the White Sox in a position to win the World Series in 2019. That should merit both feet slamming on the brakes with that proclamation until we see what the returns are for Todd Frazier, David Robertson, and Jose Quintana in the upcoming weeks.