Rival GM: Asking price for Sale is 'through the roof'

Amid one of the thinnest free-agent markets for starting pitching in recent years, clubs have turned to the trade front with hope of reeling in a big fish, and one of the largest tunas out there belongs to the Chicago White Sox.

Chris Sale, the dominating 27-year-old left-hander, has been mentioned in trade rumors for much of the offseason, and with that interest comes a hefty price tag.

A general manager interested in acquiring Sale told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports the White Sox are looking for a return that is "through the roof."

In fact, the asking price for Sale - who was mentioned in trade discussions prior to July's trade deadline - might even be higher now, and Rosenthal reported that rival executives predict the White Sox won't be able to land a "can't do that" type player in return.

The same executives believe a more realistic goal for the White Sox would be acquiring a haul of five or six top prospects, similar to what the Texas Rangers received for Mark Teixeira in 2007 when they acquired Elvis Andrus, Neftali Feliz, and Matt Harrison - who all became All-Stars.

In 2017, Sale posted a 17-10 record with a 3.34 ERA across 226 2/3 innings, finishing third in the AL with 233 strikeouts.

Sale is under team control for three more seasons, but is eligible to become a free agent in 2018 if his two team options are declined. If Sale does play through the entirety of his current deal, he'd only be owed a very reasonable $38 million.