White Sox dismiss concerns about Sale

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Any concerns regarding Chris Sale’s pitching mechanics or worries that the five-time All-Star with the wild delivery might eventually break down certainly aren’t coming from the White Sox, as explained by general manager Rick Hahn at baseball’s Winter Meetings on Monday.

“On our side? No. No. No. Come on,” said Hahn. “Did you see what this guy has done in our uniform over the years?

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“We’re as excited to have Chris Sale in our uniform today as the day we drafted him. We realize this is an elite-level talent, a rare commodity in this league and a great, great competitor. No.”

An ESPN.com report, citing sources, stated that some corners of the White Sox organization are pushed by concerns of trading Sale when he still has optimal value because of the breakdown factor. But Sale, 27, is coming off a season in which he went 17-10 with a 3.34 ERA over 32 starts. He fanned 233 over 226 2/3 innings, a career high for innings pitched, and he has thrown at least 200 innings in three of his last four seasons.

Even so, according to a report by MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal, the Nationals now have a “legitimate chance” of acquiring Sale and are negotiating the final pieces of a trade. An industry source told MLB.com that a trade was not likely to be finished overnight Monday into Tuesday, and neither club confirmed that a preliminary deal was in place. The two sides are …

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