The Atlanta Braves are acquiring left-hander Chris Sale and $17 million in cash considerations from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for young infielder Vaughn Grissom. Sale, slated to make $27.5 million in 2024, has waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the deal.
Sale, 34, is entering the final guaranteed season of his contract. (The Braves will hold a club option on Sale’s services for the 2025 season worth $20 million.) Last year, he started 20 times and amassed a 4.30 ERA (106 ERA+) and a 4.31 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He continued to show the abilities to both suppress quality of contact and generate empty swings with an arsenal that’s heavy on 94 mph fastballs and 78 mph sliders. Indeed, Sale ranked in the 73rd percentile or better in both average exit velocity against and whiff rate.
Sale is one of the most accomplished active pitchers in the majors.