For Vaughn Grissom, the Red Sox trade Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves.
The Atlanta Braves have swung a big trade to bolster their rotation, adding Chris Sale from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Vaughn Grissom.
BOSTON, MA-AUGUST 14: On August 14, 2021, in Boston, Massachusetts, Chris Sale, #41, of the Boston Red Sox, leaves the mound after pitching against the Baltimore Orioles in the third inning at Fenway Park. (Image by Getty Images/Rich Gagnon))
Among the many wild moves made during the offseason, this most recent blockbuster transaction might be the most surprising.
The Atlanta Braves have finally addressed their need to add to their starting rotation and have done so by adding a pitcher who comes with a lot of upside, but also plenty of risk. The Braves have swung a deal with the Boston Red Sox to acquire seven-time All-Star, Chris Sale.
Sale, who will soon turn 35, has finished his first largely healthy season since 2019. Sale only made 11 starts for the Boston Red Sox in the three years before. Sale pitched to a 4.30 ERA in 20 starts during the previous campaign.
Sale was still highly effective even though some of his figures were lower than in his prime, striking out 29.4% of hitters he faced to demonstrate that, in good health, he is still a capable starter.
The big disclaimer is the when healthy portion. Sale had to miss most of June, all of July, and part of August of last year due to a stress response to his scapula.
Chris Sale’s injury-filled career with the Boston Red Sox ended Saturday when the 34-year-old left-hander was traded to the Atlanta Braves for infielder Vaughn Grissom.
Boston also is sending cash to the Braves, covering a portion of the $27.5 million salary the seven-time All-Star is owed in 2024, the final guaranteed season of a $160 million, six-year contract. That 2024 salary includes $10 million deferred until June 30, 2039.
Sale was acquired by Boston from the Chicago White Sox in December 2016 and has made nine trips to the disabled and injured lists with the Red Sox, mostly due to shoulder and elbow ailments. He had Tommy John surgery on March 30, 2020, and returned to a big league mound on Aug. 14, 2021
