Chris Sale's perceived value rises, but new Red Sox ace is same fantasy stud

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more.

Here are the fantasy implications following the news that the Chicago White Sox have traded SP Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox for 3B Yoan Moncada, SP Michael Kopech and two additional prospects:

Sale has consistently performed as one of the top starting pitchers in the American League since his full-time debut as a starter in 2012. From 2012-16, the perennial Cy Young candidate has posted a record of 70-47 - an average of 14 wins per season - with an ERA of 3.04 and 10 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. He's an absolute superstar in every sense.

The move to Boston gives Sale a realistic shot at eclipsing 20 wins in a season for the first time in his career. Run support in the south side of Chicago has been spotty at best throughout his tenure.

In 2016, the White Sox scored just 4.23 runs per game, 20th in the majors. The Red Sox led the league with 5.36 runs per game, helping stake reigning Cy Young winner Rick Porcello to an MLB-leading 22 wins.

Attacking the plate has yielded fantastic strikeout totals but leaves Sale susceptible to off-games; in 2016, he made six starts where he gave up five or more earned runs. That won't be aided by a move to Fenway Park, which ranks high in terms of hitter-friendly park factors. If the trade-off is the occasional dud for 25-30 brilliant starts, you live with those infrequent blips.

Sale's history at Boston's home park has been mixed. In six appearances - three starts and three in relief - he has struck out 23 batters in 22 1/3 innings. While he has never allowed a home run at Fenway, he has given up 21 hits, leading to nine earned runs and an ERA of 3.63. It wouldn't be a shock to see his ERA and WHIP rise in his new home relative to his career numbers.

In theScore's latest rankings, Sale came in at 27th overall and sixth among starting pitchers. Depending on how the offseason shakes out for the pitchers ahead of him - Corey Kluber at 23, Noah Syndergaard at 22, Madison Bumgarner at 20 - Sale could leapfrog those options, at least in terms of perceived value.

The Red Sox are a hugely popular team, so interest in Sale's services may slightly exceed realistic expectations of his returns. Still, there's no reason to think that he won't be one of the top pitchers in fantasy in 2017, worthy of a second- or third-round draft selection.