Clearly the news on Cole won't be good. At best I am hoping he only misses half the season.
With that said, can someone tell my why Cease is so sought after? ERA close to 5 last year, 79 walks in 177 innings, a 1.41 whip! And the Sox want top prospects, plural. Because he is cheap (8 million this year and next).
He is not the solution, there is no solution. There are NO aces available in the beginning of the season. That should speak volumes as to why the Sox want to trade their "ace" Cease, they don't view him as a difference maker or part of the future if they want to trade him before start of the season, with 2 years of cheap control. HARD PASS
Sign Bauer and put him on a fucking leash, and hope Cole can come back by July. OR
Mash your way through the season and trade for Jose Ramirez to play 3B and try to make a pitch for Clase and have a super pen without giving up Jones.