Amidst the rumor filled time of year that is the non-waiver trade deadline for the MLB, the White Sox put the baseball world on hold Saturday afternoon when they scratched starting pitcher Chris Sale for the evening.

Sale was sent home from the ballpark by Sox manager Robin Ventura before his scheduled start Saturday evening against Detroit because he did not want to wear the “throwback” uniforms the team was scheduled to wear. When management did not comply, Sale took a box cutter and cut up the jerseys in an attempt to “stick it to the man.”

With first reports indicating Sale was scratched due to “illness”, the baseball world assumed Sale had been, or was close to, being traded because a scratch that close to a start of a game is not a normal for one of baseball’s premier pitchers, especially at this time of year.

Sale received a 5-game suspension on Sunday (one start for a pitcher) as a result of his actions.

Sale, who was drafted 13th overall by the White Sox in 2010, has been apart of trade rumors for more than a season now as his name appeared last summer before the trade deadline. No moves were made last season because the White Sox decided not to sell at the deadline thanks to the team playing well the last two weeks in July. This year is a different story as general manager Rick Hahn said he is tired of his team hovering around .500 and playing mediocre baseball. Therefore he has taken Sale inquiries seriously this season as he is looking to revamp a depleted farm system.

The asking price for Sale is currently five top prospects as he is arguably the most sought after pitcher on the market thanks to being a dominant lefty starter who is signed to a team-friendly five-year, $32 million contract through 2017 with two club options in 2018 and 2019.

Whether the Sox decide to trade Sale or not, this type of action clearly indicates his frustration with management as the Sox are heading for their fourth consecutive losing season.