Heyman: Yankees have called ChiSox about ace Chris Sale

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has spent time on both ends of telephone calls this July, but his latest conversation could dramatically erupt the trade market. According to Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball, the Yankees, who are not fully committed to the notion of selling, have spoken to the Chicago White Sox several times regarding left-handed ace Chris Sale, in a covert attempt to emerge as buyers. Per Heyman's report: With the New York Yankees’ smart trade to land a quartet of young players for 105-mph-throwing rental reliever Aroldis Chapman, some people around the game are now speculating that the Yankees could surprise folks by reversing course and seriously jumping into the Chris Sale sweepstakes as a major buyer. General manager Brian Cashman has made clear they “aren’t waving the white flag,” and sources say, the Yankees have indeed called the Sox a couple times about Sale. (Cashman declined comment, except to say they call on just about anyone who could help them, which is true.) While the Yankees are not a World Series contender, nor the front-runner to land Sale, New York's most recent supply of prospects acquired in Monday's Aroldis Chapman trade leads Heyman to believe that the Yankees are an interested party, willing to pay the cost for the 27-year-old southpaw. The price, however, is reportedly five prospects, according to Heyman, which makes playoff contending teams such as the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox, who have an influx of farm talent, as more suitable options. Sale, who is 14-3 with 129 strikeouts and a 3.18 ERA this season, is signed through 2017, with club options in 2018 and 2019 for a total of $38 million.