Seven-time All-Star Chris Sale is going to Atlanta. The Braves announced Saturday that they are trading the pitcher and cash to the Boston Red Sox for desired prospect Vaughn Grissom.
After Sale renounced his no-trade clause to join Atlanta, the Red Sox will allegedly pay the Braves $17 million. According to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, the extra money will likely cover the 34-year-old's $27.5 million 2024 contract.
Grissom is playing winter ball in Puerto Rico to prepare for a move from middle infield to left field. His first major league hit was a mammoth Fenway homer after being drafted by the Braves in the 11th round in 2019. His home field will be the milestone.
Boston's front office was active this week. Sale was traded a day after the Red Sox acquired top starting pitcher Lucas Giolito to a two-year, $38.5 million deal.
After seven years with the Red Sox, Sale enters his final guaranteed season. The Chicago White Sox picked him 13th overall in 2010. His most recent season, with a 4.30 ERA in 102⅔ innings in 20 starts, was his best since 2019. Sale struck out 125, walked 29, and allowed 15 home runs.
Sale is an accomplished veteran despite only 11 appearances in 2020–2022. He received a five-year, $145 million contract deal from Boston before the 2019 season after seven straight Cy Young Award considerations from 2012 to '18.
Other than Tommy John surgery and a shoulder ailment, Sale's injury layoffs were unfortunate. He broke his pinky on a line drive in his second game back from a right ribcage stress fracture. He broke his wrist in a bike accident a month later, ruining his season.
Sale, along with Spencer Strider, Max Fried, and Charlie Morton, will be a major boost to the Braves' rotation if he remains healthy