Pipeline Inbox: What would it take to land Sale?

The 2015 Winter Meetings saw one No. 1 overall pick traded (Dansby Swanson from the D-backs to the Braves) and the groundwork laid for another to change addresses shortly thereafter (Mark Appel from the Astros to the Phillies). We likely won’t see another No. 1 overall choice on the move in Washington D.C. next week, but is there a scenario where a No. 2 could be used to obtain one of the best pitchers in baseball? Let’s take a look in the latest installment of the MLBPipeline Inbox …

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If the Astros were to give up Alex Bregman in a package for Chris Sale, who else would they have to add to make it fair compensation? — Peter C., Chicago

The problem with the White Sox trading Sale is that he’s almost too valuable. Finding a team willing and able to give up what Sale is truly worth, factoring in how good he is on the mound, along with the fact that he’ll cost a total of just $38 million for the next three seasons, is going to be difficult. But I’ll play along with this scenario.

As hard as it would be to trade Bregman, whose offensive upside is considerable, and whose makeup is off the charts, the Astros could justify it because they need an ace and they have Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Yulieski Gurriel to play Bregman’s three best positions. However, Bregman alone won’t bring back Sale.

If I were running the White Sox, I’d want one of Houston’s best pitching prospects, best outfield prospects and a fourth player in the deal. I’d have to have either right-hander Francis Martes or outfielder Kyle Tucker; so it would be Martes and outfielder Derek Fisher, or Tucker and righty Joe Musgrove. The final piece would be someone along the lines of middle infielder Miguelangel Sierra, outfielder Gilbert Celestino or catcher Garrett Stubbs.

That price likely would be too rich for the Astros. But even if it embarks on a full-scale rebuilding process, Chicago doesn’t have to trade Sale — and shouldn’t unless it can extract an exorbitant return.

@jimcallisMLB @MLBPipeline How do you think the 2017 draft compares to the previous few? Any better? In what areas is it strong? Weak?

It feels like with almost every …

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