Dave Dombrowski: If David Ortiz had interest in returning, he’d call

After the Boston Red Sox snatched up Chris Sale in an epic trade, Big Papi told fans that he was “thinking” about returning to play alongside Boston’s new star pitcher! While Kopech was shocked by the trade, he said he was excited to be a part of the first of what should be a rejuvenating youth movement that eventually reaches the South Side of Chicago.

Since becoming a starting pitcher in 2012, Sale has been flat out dominant. Just look at last season’s big acquisition – Price – whose ERA went from 2.45 to 3.99 in his first season with Boston. They lead the league in runs scored last season and will field a lineup next year that features Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Andrew Benintendi, Hanley Ramirez and Dustin Pedroia.

Their outfield is uber-talented but also very young, and while AL Cy Young victor Rick Porcello was a godsend for the team as the months wore on, the Red Sox starting rotation lacked consistency outside of him. You don’t trade for Chris Sale unless you’re all in. That’s what I live for, playing the game of baseball.

Do not think the Phillies are out of the woods yet when it comes to facing Sale though. The Braves are probably a couple of years away from contention; this is not true for the Dodgers and Nationals.

Things only improved for the White Sox as the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros continued to show strong interest.

While fantasy owners can be fairly certain of what Sale might produce in 2017 and beyond, there’s no telling how high the ceiling might be for the two top prospects Chicago received in the trade.

Each team offered a four-player package and White Sox officials returned to their suite and worked early into Tuesday morning to mull which offer was best.

No offense to the Mets, Indians, Cubs or Giants, but that’s the best rotation in baseball. Will Sale be upset if Price starts on Opening Day, or if Porcello gets the ball in Game 1 of a playoff series? Now imagine if the Dodgers added a guy like Sale to their team.

What lies ahead is a legitimate chance to do something Sale has always said is his foremost goal – making a run at the postseason. The 27-year-old left-hander provided a diplomatic answer.

Sale automatically adds depth to a rotation that was already one of the deepest in the American League when firing on all cylinders.

Moncada, 21, produced a.918 OPS in 106 games at high-A and Class AA last season, and then had a 19-at-bat stint in Boston at the end of the year.

Dombrowski is known as one of the most aggressive wheeler-dealers in the industry, a daring executive who finds blockbuster trades to be downright irresistible. This is no slouch to either of these teams, as both still will be in title contention next season. Chris Sale is obviously one of the top pitchers in baseball.

As foundation-shaking as Sale’s addition to the defending AL East champs is, the Yankees won’t deviate from their patient winter plan.