In a move signaling risk and hope, the Atlanta Braves have shored up their starting rotation by reworking the contract of newly acquired pitcher Chris Sale, who is looking to make good on a clean slate after a stint filled with injuries and uneven performance with the Boston Red Sox. Sale has agreed to a $38 million deal for two years, with a club option in 2026 that could tack on another $18 million, the team announced last Thursday.
While the left-hander's previous contract with the Red Sox included a hefty $27.5 million salary for this upcoming year, with $10 million deferred to 2039, the new arrangement sweetens the pot immediately. According to Atlanta News First, the seven-time All-Star will receive an additional $10.5 million in guaranteed money while committing to the Braves for at least two seasons instead of one. The 34-year-old Sale is set to make $16 million this season and $22 million in 2025.
"They put their faith and trust in me," Sale said. "This allows me to be more comfortable knowing I’m going to be here a couple of years and can get settled in," he noted in a statement obtained by Atlanta News First. As part of the trade, the Red Sox will send over $17 million to the Braves in two installments this season, which covers the entirety of Sale's salary plus an additional $1 million for the 2024 fiscal year. This meticulous financial maneuvering means that Atlanta will effectively have Sale's services for free this coming season, an intriguing prospect for a pitcher looking to redeem his prior shortcomings.
Sale's tenure with the Red Sox was a medley of highs and lows; after being acquired from the Chicago White Sox in December 2016, he had an admirable start but was later marred by frequent visits to the injured list, primarily due to shoulder and elbow issues that led to Tommy John surgery in March 2020. As reported by AP News, Sale waived his right to veto a trade, a reflection of his desire to put himself and the Red Sox in a beneficial situation.
Going from a physically taxing run to now expressing unrestrained optimism about his health, Sale is anticipated to bring depth to an Atlanta roster that clinched an MLB-leading 104 games last season. He joins a potent rotation featuring the likes of 2023 All-Stars Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder, tried-and-true ace Max Fried, and 40-year-old veteran Charlie Morton. With his sights set on a World Series championship, Sale confidently told Atlanta News First, "All systems are go. I’m very excited for that."
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