Worth pointing out that when Sale comes back, assuming he does and is also in the "personal choice" camp with the vaccine, he also won't be able to pitch in Toronto. A quick look at the schedule shows three games there at the end of June and another three from 9/30-10/2, the penultimate series of the season. That's at least 6 games where he can't contribute, barring a change in mind. That means they won't have the left-handed or right-handed Chris Sale for either series, both of which (especially that first one, if they are somehow still in it) are critical.
Also worth noting that vaccination status may affect how they do trades. One would assume they won't be dealing for an impact player who can't cross the border. One may also assume that they might have a tough time dealing an unvaccinated player to any team that's going to play the Blue Jays in Toronto this year (unless it's a 26th man type of player, which probably means a throw-in or traded for cash). I realize that's a short list, for now (not sure of vaccination status of any farm players who might get summoned), but it includes two guys that several have advocated moving on from if possible. I'm less bearish on Houck, if only because he's still young and it's only going to hurt him financially to keep fighting it, plus I don't think the organization is that keen to give up on a pitching prospect from their system given the weak track record over the last few seasons, and doubt they could move Sale without having to subsidize the deal, so it might be moot anyway.
