The December 2023 trade that sent Chris Sale from the Boston Red Sox to the Atlanta Braves marked a challenging beginning for Craig Breslow as Boston's chief baseball officer. The decision was tough, especially since Sale delivered a career-best performance right after the trade, while Vaughn Grissom, Boston's return player, struggled with injuries.
In 2024, Sale was nothing short of spectacular. He earned his first All-Star nod in six years, leading the league with a 2.38 ERA, racking up 255 strikeouts, and topping charts in ERA+ (174), FIP (2.09), and strikeouts per nine innings (11.4).
His outstanding season culminated in winning his first Cy Young Award, after being a contender seven times before, including during his 2017-18 run with the Red Sox. With Tanner Houck as Boston’s ace in 2024, one might wonder if keeping Sale for another year could have been justified.
Sale's 2025 season continued to impress, with a 2.58 ERA and a 1.066 WHIP, though it was cut short to 125.2 innings due to a ribcage fracture from a diving play. It seems Sale found something special in Atlanta, leading to his decision to sign a one-year, $27 million extension with a $30 million club option for 2027, potentially committing the rest of his career to the Braves.
On the flip side, Grissom's time in Boston came to an end. Breslow traded him to the Los Angeles Angels for outfield prospect Isaiah Jackson on December 9.
Grissom had openly expressed feeling overlooked by the Red Sox when he wasn't called up to replace the injured Marcelo Mayer. The trade for Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, and Anthony Seigler made Grissom's presence in Boston unnecessary.
When the Red Sox dealt Sale to the Braves, he was in the final year of his contract. Considering his extensive injury history and hefty salary, a reunion with Boston seemed unlikely.
Watching Sale excel with the Braves stings, especially given the trade's outcome. However, Boston has since revamped their rotation, reducing their reliance on Sale. Yet, fans can't help but ponder the impact his Cy Young-winning 2024 season might have had on a team that was tantalizingly close to a playoff spot.