Chris Sale is the gem of the offseason and he'll be hard to snag

One of the biggest trade targets in baseball this offseason is White Sox ace Chris Sale.

In seven years with the Sox, he's been in the Cy Young conversation each of the last five years. He's truly considered one of the best not just in the American league but in all of baseball and he wants out of town. Last season Sale even went as far as cutting up his team's jersey before a start, just hours before the trade deadline. I mean if that's not a plea for "get me the hell out of here" I don't know what is.

The problem with landing the crazy good lefty is he's under team control for a few more seasons and since he won't be a free agent till 2020 the cost could be epic.

Everyone knows Sale's resume, he's a true ace. Since 2012 only Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer and, David Price have a higher pitchers WAR than Sale.

Jeff Luhnow and his staff have pulled off plenty of deals before but those moves are Minnows compared to the Whale that is Sale.

Getting the lefty ace will no doubt have to be painful for the Astros.

A good reference for Luhnow and his staff to go by could be the deal the Rangers made for Cole Hamels a few years back.

However, there are a few key differences and they do not favor Astros.

The Phillies who traded Hamels and White Sox who will be trading Sale are in different positions. The Phillies were looking to add to the minors and rebuild their depth. The White Sox are pretty close to being in playoff contention and will want major league ready talent.

Plus the ages between the two are quite different, Hamels was 31 at the time of the trade while Sale will only be 27 if/when he gets moved.

Hamels netted four prospects included the 3rd, 5th, and 13th best prospects from the Rangers farm.

The Astros cost could be a little higher and likely to include starting pitcher Lance McCullers or third basemen Alex Bregman just to get the White Sox brass to even return their phone calls.

This is a package that could get the White Sox attention. Pitcher Francis Martes (#1), outfielder Derek Fisher (#5), third basemen Colin Moran (#7) and, Bregman.

The Astros 1st, 5th, and 7th best prospects, plus Bregman would be enough to wow any general manager.

It might be a little steep but if you want to snag the prize of the offseason season going bold is the way to go.