Report: Red Sox, Nationals among 5 teams at forefront of Sale talks

Though the asking price for Chris Sale is said to be "through the roof," Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn appears to have a number of bidders should he wish to trade his ace.

The Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, and Atlanta Braves have all reportedly begun to separate themselves at the forefront of trade talks, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Each of the five teams have an abundance of top prospects, which will be a requirement given Hahn's asking price. It was reported earlier Friday that the White Sox are seeking a haul exceeding what the Braves received from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Shelby Miller deal last winter, which included the organization's No. 1 prospect in Dansby Swanson and two additional pieces.

The Nationals appear destined to make a major splash this winter, having been linked to a potential trade for Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen. A trade for the former NL MVP could clean them out of the prospects needed for Sale.

The Red Sox were linked to Sale at last season's non-waiver trade deadline and have a number of pieces they could mix and match for a deal, though president Dave Dombrowski appears content with his rotation as is.

The Rangers have a number of holes they need to fill offensively but have a need for another arm in the rotation, while the Astros have been heavily linked to adding either Edwin Encarnacion or Carlos Beltran. Signing one of those free agents could afford them the flexibility to move one of their younger players for Sale.

Finally, with a move to a new stadium scheduled for 2017, the Braves have completely made over their rotation with the acquisitions of Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey, and Jaime Garcia, though GM John Coppolella is still eager to add another starter.