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Report: White Sox scouted Red Sox prospects amid Sale rumors

Portland Press Herald / Getty

The Chicago White Sox added fuel to the fire Thursday after reportedly sending scouts to watch the Portland Sea Dogs in Binghamton, where top Red Sox prospects Yoan Moncada and Andrew Benintendi were showcasing their skills for Boston's Double-A team.

Though it's unclear which players the White Sox were scouting, the report from ESPN's Scott Lauber comes on the heels of increased trade speculation surrounding ace Chris Sale, and rumors the Red Sox were still looking to do "something big" before Monday's deadline.

On Friday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported the White Sox are "more open than ever" to dealing Sale, who was reinstated Thursday after serving a five-day suspension for destroying the team's throwback jerseys last weekend. Despite the act of insubordination and the scuffling play of the White Sox, the club's reportedly maintaining a high asking price - as many as five top prospects, according to some reports - for the AL Cy Young front-runner.

Over the last week, reports have surfaced claiming the White Sox turned down a "king's ransom" for the 27-year-old Sale, who's under contract for a reasonably priced $38 million over the next three seasons. Meanwhile, the Rangers, among the many suitors for Sale, are said to be willing to include Joey Gallo and Jurickson Profar in a potential deal for the towering lefty.

Despite dealing highly touted pitcher Anderson Espinoza to the Padres for Drew Pomeranz earlier this month, the Red Sox are still stocked with a farm system that includes some of the top prospects in the game, including Moncada, Benintendi, and Rafael Devers. Among the other well-regarded prospects playing for the Sea Dogs on Thursday was Mauricio Dubon, a 22-year-old shortstop from Honduras.

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