Latest controversy indicates it's time for Sox to trade Sale

I thought Chris Sale's clubhouse rampage before Saturday night's game against the Tigers was his unorthodox way of trying to force a trade.

A day later, after talking to his suspended ace starting pitcher, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn denied the theory.

"I don't want to get into the specifics of an exchange but at no point, I will say, did he express the desire not to be a Chicago White Sox," Hahn said.

Talking to MLB.com's Scott Merkin before Monday night's game against the Cubs, Sale also denied he wants out.

"I want to win a championship in Chicago," said the American League's best pitcher. "That's been my goal from Day 1."

That might be true, but Sale couldn't really be blamed for feeling he's much more likely to win a championship in a different uniform - one that isn't tattered.

This is his seventh season with the Sox and he has yet to appear in the playoffs. Sale told MLB.com he destroyed the 1976 throwback uniforms scheduled to be worn Saturday because they were "uncomfortable and unorthodox."

He proceeded to drag manager Robin Ventura into the controversy, which is a clear indication a player wants to be moved. According to Sale, Ventura should have told the front office to pull the sponsored '76 uniforms before he felt compelled to pull out the Ginsu.

"Robin is the one who has to fight for us in that department," Sale said. "If the players don't feel comfortable 100 percent about what we are doing to win the game, and we have an easy fix … it was as easy as hanging up another jersey and everyone was fine. For them to put business first over winning, that's when I lost it."

Sale was involved in another altercation with the easygoing Ventura late in the 2014 season, and he was sent home.

In April of last season, he was ejected for his role in a brawl against Kansas City. Once out of the game, he got dressed and tried to get into the Royals' clubhouse after play resumed.

In spring training, Sale unloaded on vice president Kenny Williams after Adam LaRoche abruptly retired.

Now there is this, and you have to seriously wonder if Sale's days with the White Sox are going to end before Monday's nonwaiver trade deadline.

If the Sox can't get enough in return for a great pitcher with a contract to match, maybe they wait until the off-season when more teams would be bidding.

Or maybe they keep Sale through 2019 and forget about the latest meltdown.

On the rumor mill, it sounds like the Dodgers are willing to trade a package of young talent headed by 19-year-old starter Julio Urias.

If that is true, don't be surprised if Sale is soon setting sail for Los Angeles.