Breaking Down Chris Sale’s Contract: Braves Land Seven-Time All-Star in Red Sox Trade
Jan
In a notable offseason move, the Boston Red Sox traded seven-time All-Star pitcher Chris Sale to the Braves, acquiring infielder Vaughn Grissom in return. The flurry of activity continued for the Red Sox, with the recent signing of right-hander Lucas Giolito to a two-year contract worth $38.5 million, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Chris Sale’s Contract Details
Sale’s contract details shed light on the intricacies of the trade. Approaching the last year of his five-year contract with the Red Sox valued at $145 million, Sale waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the move. The Braves will receive $17 million from Boston to offset Sale’s $27.5 million salary for 2024. Notably, $10 million of his 2024 salary is deferred until June 30, 2039.
The addition of Sale strengthens the Braves’ pitching rotation, joining the ranks alongside Spencer Strider, Max Fried, and Charlie Morton.
Chris Sale’s Career and Stats
Despite facing challenges with injuries over the last four seasons, Sale’s contributions to the Red Sox, including a key role in their 2018 World Series win, are undeniable. Sale secured top-5 placements in Cy Young voting in his initial two seasons with Boston, following a consistent trend from his White Sox years.
Injury setbacks, including Tommy John surgery in 2020 and subsequent ailments, limited Sale’s appearances to 11 times between 2020 and 2022. His performance in 2023 included a 6-5 record in 20 starts with a 4.30 ERA.
Chris Sale’s Career Stats:
| Year | Team | GP | CG | ER | W | L | Sv | WHIP | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Red Sox | 20 | 0 | 49 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1.13 | 4.30 |
| 2022 | Red Sox | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.06 | 3.18 |
| 2021 | Red Sox | 9 | 0 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1.34 | 3.16 |
| 2019 | Red Sox | 25 | 1 | 72 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 1.09 | 4.40 |
| … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … |
Career Total: 16 seasons, 614 GP, 120 ER, 80 W, 12 L, 1.05 WHIP, 3.10 ERA
Sale’s impact on the field is evident in his career statistics, showcasing his prowess as a pitcher despite recent challenges. The Braves aim to leverage his experience and skill to fortify their pitching rotation in the upcoming season.