Nobody wants to talk about Chris Sale because we're all afraid his arm will fly off into the 1st base dugout, but he has better component stats than Kershaw and he's younger. No respect I tell ya!
Price is more volatile than Samardzija? On what planet? Price has consistently been elite with a SwStk under 9%, it's not the be-all, end-all. He is a ground ball beast that limits home runs and walks and chews up big innings.
If we're talking talent, not cost, it's Price > Bailey > Shark. Any talk of Price's decline is greatly premature. He's not a K/IP guy, he's more of a Sabathia. He was exquisite after recovering from his first half injury.
Garza at about 4/$50 makes perfect sense. He has a proven track record in the AL East. The dude has never had an ERA over 4 FFS (I know we hate ERA but that is meaningful given the sample size).
I'm saying all three. Parks said trading Sanchez or Stroman for Shark would be reckless, and that we'd be better off targeting Price if we're moving them.
Based on what the Tigers got for Fister, and what Jason Parks thinks, I do think it's possible. Nolin/Gose/Norris is probably a feasible offer for Shark.
Dickey
Buehrle
Morrow
Anderson
Happ/Stroman/Hutch/Drabek
That doesn't seem so bad. The real question is would you rather have Anderson at his salary, or spend even more in AAV and years for someone like Garza. We need a mid-rotation arm, period.
I'm interested too, under the blanket assumption that Sanchez and Stroman can't possibly be involved given the salary. If it's just a matter of eating the contract, I'd gladly take a shot on Anderson.