Just in:Despite series of injury crisis,Chris sale stole the show for braves

Chris Sale Shows Optimistic Signs for Atlanta Braves Following Frustrating Injuries

 

At the end of 2023, Chris Sale’s time with the Boston Red Sox came to a close, not due to retirement but through a somewhat unexpected trade to the

Atlanta Braves in exchange for infielder Vaughn Grissom, whom the Red Sox envision as their future second baseman.

 

Both players attracted attention over the weekend for different reasons. On Saturday, Grissom was sidelined with a

“slight” left groin strain, an injury not deemed severe but significant enough for manager Alex Cora to express doubts

about his readiness to start the season on time. The following day, Sale delivered another promising performance with his new team, pitching 2 2/3 scoreless

innings against the Phillies in a preseason matchup between the top two teams expected to compete in the NL East.

“I aim to fulfill my role for this team and validate all the offseason efforts,” Sale remarked to reporters in North Port, Fla.,

on Sunday. “While there’s still work to be done and details to address, I’m pleased with our current position and the direction we’re heading.”

The trade reflects contrasting strategies for both teams.

 

Sale’s departure marks the exit of one of the last remaining members of the 2018 championship squad from Boston. With

only Rafael Devers remaining and entering the second season of his 10-year contract, the third baseman hopes the

front office will make further moves to enhance a team that has recorded consecutive 78-win seasons.

 

Grissom is seen as a potential young asset to complement the array of

prospects the Red Sox are promoting, while the Braves felt secure enough in their major league roster to trade him away.

 

Acquiring Sale, the Braves are optimistic that he can be the pitcher to propel them

beyond the Division Series. In 2022, Atlanta, the defending World Series champion, posted a 5.82 ERA against the

Phillies after edging out the Mets for the Division title on the final weekend. Last year, their ERA was 4.50 against the Phillies in the Division Series.

Sale represents a steal for the Braves, who are banking on his performance in the final year of a $160 million six-year

contract he inked with the Red Sox in March 2019. The Associated Press revealed that the Braves’ expenditure for

Sale amounts to approximately $500,000, with the Red Sox footing the bill through two installments of $8.5 million on April 1 and July 1.

Following the financial assistance from the Red Sox, the Braves promptly

restructured Sale’s contract, extending it for two years at $38 million, which also includes a club option for 2026. This

move was made particularly noteworthy by Sale’s encouraging performance in his last nine starts of the previous season, where he posted a 3.92 ERA.

 

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