AL Central Notes: Chris Sale trade rumors, Tigers bullpen

Since there will likely be a limited number of effective starting pitchers available, Chris Sale could draw a notable amount of interest.

Sale, 27, has pitched to a 2.83 ERA and 3.28 FIP over 105.0 innings this season. He’s posted a career 2.90 ERA and could prove to be a valuable asset.

Regardless of what the White Sox could receive in exchange for Sale, the club might be hesitant to move him. Sale is pleased in Chicago and doesn’t believe the White Sox would trade him, according to Evan Drellich of The Boston Herald.

“I’m right where I want to be,” Sale told the Herald at Fenway. “I plan on being here forever. So I mean, I don’t think they would trade me. I would hope not. I mean, at the end of the day, it’s a business. I understand you got to do what you got to do, what’s best for the team and what not.

“I have a hard time believing that I would be traded and I really don’t want to (be).”

More from around the AL Central:

• Whit Merrifield has had a solid start to his major league career. If he continues to thrive, would he be the obvious AL Rookie of the Year candidate?

• Minnesota traded Oswaldo Arcia to the Rays on Friday afternoon. He will likely be remembered as a notable power hitter.

• Detroit’s bullpen has performed well to this point in 2016. Mark Lowe is one of the only inconsistent Tigers relievers.

• Few people are speaking about Cleveland’s starting rotation, but it’s been unconventional and effective.

• James Shields is a front-end of the rotation arm, yet he still has to be more consistent for the White Sox.