My point is the far more likely outcome was another lost season from Sale. If the two outcomes were
1. Save $10mill and get an MLB-ready infielder at a position of need, or
2. Spent $27mill on a pitcher who will miss between 25 and 31 of his starts and maybe give you 30 good innings
Which would you choose? Probability had these as covering 99% of all possible outcomes.
Also, while everything around these moves bombed, moving Sale was more than just saving $10mill; they spent that money and then some on a starting pitcher who has thrown over 500 IP in the past 3 seasons. If you do believe the best ability is availability, this would have been considered an upgrade.
I mean, if they don’t trade Sale, do you think they still sun Giolito?