Sale was traded to the Red Sox and holy cow players are expensive - A Hunt and Peck

You probably heard that Chris Sale was traded to the Red Sox yesterday afternoon. You probably heard about the return the White Sox received as well. If not, a refresher:

• Yoan Moncada - beautiful, twenty-one-year-old second base prospect who tremendous offensive ceiling and ranks above average in every traditional scouting tool; ranked the number one prospect on mlb.com and mostly everywhere else too
• Michael Kopech - beautiful, twenty-year-old right-handed pitching prospect who has reportedly hit 105 mph with his fastball; his fastball is his best pitch, but he also features a slider and changup; ranked the number thirty prospect on mlb.com
• Luis Alexander Basabe - a speedy, twenty-year-old outfielder who has shown power potential
• Victor Diaz - a twenty-two-year-old right hander in low A ball

This is quite a return, indeed. So what does this mean for the Cardinals, you might ask? Basically, a trade for anyone will require giving something up, and it will probably be something we do not want to give up. The White Sox were rumored to be asking for Carson Kelly in a deal for Adam Eaton. That sounds steep, but when you look at what premium players are netting, the price may not be that crazy after all.

White Sox trade Chris Sale to Red Sox | MLB.com

Projecting the Prospects in the Chris Sale Trade | FanGraphs Baseball

Scouting the White Sox’ Monster Return for Chris Sale | FanGraphs Baseball

what else is going on in baseball...

• Brian Cashman on Red Sox adding Chris Sale | MLB.com
• David Ortiz says that the Chris Sale trade has got him thinking ... | MLB.com
• White Sox Begin Teardown in Best Way Possible | FanGraphs Baseball
• The Red Sox traded for Chris Sale, and they’re going to be ridiculously loaded for a long time | SBNation.com
• Red Sox Dave Dombrowski proves he's one of baseball's boldest | ESPN
• Carlos Gomez, Rangers agree on 1-year deal | MLB.com
• Can you name the teams these famous journeymen haven't played for? | MLB.com
• $400 million isn't a ridiculous number for Harper. | Sports on Earth
• Mitch Moreland and Travis Shaw Are Offensive Doppelgangers | FanGraphs Baseball
• The Time to Trade Chris Archer Has Arrived | FanGraphs Baseball
• The Price for Jose Quintana Should Also Be Sky High | FanGraphs Baseball
• The Orioles won’t sign free agent Jose Bautista because their fans hate him | SBNation.com

what the cardinals are up to...

• MLB Rumor Central: St. Louis Cardinals ask White Sox about Adam Eaton? | MLB Rumor Central- ESPN
• Winter Meetings Daily: St. Louis Cardinals make offer to Dexter Fowler | MLB Rumor Central- ESPN
• Cardinals issue a 'call to action' as they explore several deals | St. Louis Cardinals | stltoday.com
• Cardinals planning to keep Wong | St. Louis Cardinals | stltoday.com
• Matheny plans spring changes to improve Cards' defense, baserunning | Derrick Goold: Bird Land | stltoday.com
• Ortiz at the winter meetings: Pioneer Claire Smith earns historic honor | Jesus Ortiz | stltoday.com
• Starting with 2018 class, writers' Hall of Fame ballots will be made public | Derrick Goold: Bird Land | stltoday.com
• It's Unacceptable For the Cardinals to Lose More Ground to the Cubs this Offseason | 101Sports.com

KNOW THINE ENEMY...

the nl central

• Cubs in discussion with Royals about Davis | MLB.com
• New Brewer Mauricio Dubon on Baseball (and Soccer) | FanGraphs Baseball
• Who's disloyal to their deal if the Pittsburgh Pirates trade Andrew McCutchen? | ESPN