Sale goes for 15th win as trade rumors swirl
One day after a report indicated the Rangers were making a serious push for Chris Sale, the White Sox ace will go for his major league-leading 15th win when Chicago hosts Detroit on Saturday.
On Friday, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reported Texas is pursuing a deal for Sale, the AL All-Star starter who pitched one-hit ball over eight scoreless innings against Seattle in his previous start.
With his club scuffling, general manager Rick Hahn has been stressing the importance of staying "open-minded" as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches, especially with respect to potential offers for Sale and fellow left-hander Jose Quintana. There's no indication that talks have escalated or that a deal is imminent, and sources told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports the White Sox turned down a "king's ransom" for Sale in the previous 48 hours.
"We're not where we want to be," Hahn said Thursday. "We've spent a fair amount of time focusing on the (current season) for the last few years, and it hasn't paid off as handsomely as we hoped. At the same time ... the notion of, 'Let's sell off everything because it's not working,' might be a little extreme, especially if you expect to be able to put yourself in position to have a perennial quality product (within) the window of control for some of these guys."
Here's what else is happening all around the majors today:
NO LEAKE HERE
Mike Leake has struck out at least 10 and walked none in each of his last two starts for St. Louis joining Bob Gibson as the Cardinals to accomplish the feat in consecutive games. Leake will try to extend his streak when he faces the Dodgers at Busch Stadium.
CHECK HIM
The Giants will see how star catcher Buster Posey is feeling. He left Friday night's game at Yankee Stadium a couple innings after fouling a ball off his right foot, and X-rays were negative. He said he was sore after the game, and was listed as day to day with a bruise.
VIVA VOTTO
Reds first baseman Joey Votto tries to extend his torrid streak since the All-Star Game. His three-run homer in the first inning on Friday night against Arizona gave him a seven-game hitting streak since the break. It was his third homer during that span.
NEAT MATCHUP
Marlins All-Star Jose Fernandez (11-4, 2.53) is scheduled to start at home against Mets righty Jacob deGrom (6-4, 2.38), who pitched a one-hit shutout against the Phillies in his most recent outing.
''If you're a baseball fan and you love the game, Saturday night's game is a game you'd want to come and see,'' Mets manager Terry Collins said.
SUZUKI UPDATE
The Marlins' Ichiro Suzuki struck out on three pitches in the eighth inning as a pinch-hitter and remains four hits shy of 3,000.