Skip to content

Hahn: Sale's actions don't change his value to White Sox

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn doesn't believe the clubhouse incident involving Chris Sale on Saturday will result in the team trading the All-Star left-hander.

"The actions or behaviors of the last 24 hours does not change in any aspect, any respect, our belief that Chris Sale can help this club win a championship and win multiple championships," Hahn told reporters Sunday. "It does not move the needle one iota in terms of his value to this club, his value to any other club that may be interested in his services, or the likelihood of him being moved or kept whatsoever. None of that stuff is impacted at all by these events."

Sale was handed a five-day suspension from the club Sunday for violating team rules, insubordination, and destroying team equipment after he reportedly cut up the White Sox throwback jerseys prior to Saturday's game following a dispute with the front office over not wanting to wear them.

The 27-year-old has yet to comment on the incident, but his agent, B.B. Abbott, said that Sale's primary concern is winning and there will not be any issues moving forward if the White Sox share that same goal.

"The only thing that matters to Chris Sale is winning," Abbott told Jayson Stark of ESPN. "If he perceives that something is distracting from that or being prioritized over that, he is going to have a problem with it. There is no better teammate or competitor than Chris and there is no player that cares more about the city of Chicago and its fans than him.

"As long as everyone can agree with those sentiments, and putting winning and the White Sox fans first, there will never be a problem between Chris and anyone on the staff or in the front office. I think Chris has been very clear on that subject and it was well received. He now wants to focus on his team, teammates, and the task at hand - helping the White Sox win ballgames."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox