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Red Sox, Chris Sale Agree To Extension

By Steve Adams | March 24, 2019 at 1:43pm CDT

TODAY, 1:43pm: Bob Nightengale of USA Today adds (via Twitter) that Sale’s vesting option for 2025 will be exercised if Sale earns a top-10 finish in AL Cy Young voting in 2024 and does not finish the year on the IL.

SATURDAY, 8:12am: The Red Sox have officially announced Sale’s new contract.

FRIDAY, 9:01pm: Sale has passed his physical, Rosenthal tweets, so all that remains is for the contract to be announced. Sale will earn $30MM in each of the first three seasons of the deal, after which time he has the right to opt out of the remaining two seasons. Those campaigns are valued at $27.5MM, meaning Sale will be deciding on two years and $55MM versus a trip onto the open market.

There’s further upside in the deal as well, ESPN.com’s Jeff Passan reports (Twitter links). It includes a vesting option at a floating value (minimum $20MM) based upon games started. There are also Cy Young-based escalators in years 2021-24 and in the option year. Sale receives full no-trade protection beginning in the middle of the 2020 season.

There are competing reports on the accounting of the deal. Rosenthal and others say the deal will wrap in Sale’s preexisting 2019 salary, creating a readjustment of his luxury tax hit for the present season (and pushing the team into the highest level of penalties). That’s not the case, though, per Speier (Twitter link). He reports that the Boston organization will elect to keep the ’19 season separate, which will avoid immediate tax entanglements but increase the luxury tax hit over the new years of the deal, potentially leading to future luxury obligations.

2:30pm: The Red Sox and ace Chris Sale are closing in on a contract extension, as first reported by Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. Sale, a client of Jet Sports Management, will receive $145MM over five seasons (2020-24) if he passes a physical, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports (Twitter links).

Chris Sale | Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this spring, both Sale and the Red Sox expressed mutual interest in working out a long-term arrangement that’d keep the left-hander, who is slated to become a free agent at season’s end, in Boston for the long term. MLBTR’s Jeff Todd recently broke down several possible scenarios when exploring what a Sale extension would cost the Sox.

Sale, 30 next week, has been among the game’s elite starters since moving to the rotation with the White Sox back in 2012. He’s made seven consecutive All-Star teams and registered six consecutive Top-5 finishes in American League Cy Young voting, though he’s somewhat incredibly never taken home a Cy Young trophy himself.

Since being traded to Boston in the 2016 blockbuster that sent Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech, Luis Alexander Basabe and Victor Diaz to Chicago, Sale has pitched to a brilliant 2.56 ERA while averaging 13.2 strikeouts and just 1.9 walks per nine innings pitched. That level of K/BB excellence is nothing new for Sale, who holds the all-time Major League records for both K/9 (10.88) and K/BB ratio (5.31) among pitchers with at least 1000 innings pitched.

Any extension for Sale would begin in his age-31 season — he’ll pitch the 2019 season at age 30 — and figures to come with as much as a 100 percent increase over this year’s $15MM salary. The length of the contract was surely a sticking point in negotiations between Sale and the Sox, given last season’s shoulder troubles that limited him to 158 regular-season innings. Beyond that, his age likely gives Boston some degree of pause, as teams have become increasingly reluctant to guarantee players — particularly pitchers — significant salaries into their late 30s.

The luxury tax also undoubtedly plays a factor in negotiations, as the Red Sox’ payroll currently carries about $240.8MM in annual values that count against the tax ledger (as MLBTR recently examined when highlighting the unlikelihood of a Craig Kimbrel reunion). Should the Sox cross the $246MM threshold, they’d move into the top bracket of luxury penalization, which would include a 75 percent tax on any dollars spent beyond that point and would also cause their top pick in the 2020 draft to be pushed back by 10 spots, though for the Sox, keeping Sale from testing the open market looks to have been deemed worth of incurring that level of penalization.

It’s still possible that the Sox manage to lessen the luxury hit, though; Boston is reportedly shopping catcher Sandy Leon and his $2.475MM salary, and trimming that off the books would lighten the sting in terms of luxury payments on a new contract for Sale. A theoretical $30MM annual value for Sale would effectively take his luxury hit from $15MM (his current one-year salary, as options are treated in the CBA) to $27.5MM (the five-year, $150MM term plus this year’s $15MM salary divided over a six-year span). That $12.5MM increase currently stands to put the Red Sox about $6.5MM over the top luxury line, so shedding Leon’s contract could ultimately leave Boston’s luxury commitments at about $250-251MM. That’s still a huge penalty, but they’d only be paying the 75 percent tax on about $4-5MM of expenditures in that scenario.

Sale is far from the lone key Red Sox player who is (or was) slated to hit the open market following the 2019 season, but given the luxury implications another extension would present, he may be the only one to sign a long-term deal. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts and right-hander Rick Porcello are also free agents following the 2019 campaign, while designated hitter J.D. Martinez has the ability to opt out of the remaining three years and $62.5MM on his contract. Looking further down the line, reigning AL MVP Mookie Betts will become a free agent following the 2020 season, though Betts flatly stated this week that he doesn’t expect to sign an extension before free agency.

In the now likely event that a Sale extension is finalized, it would mark the 17th contract extension signed by a player this spring alone, including the sixth by a would-be free agent and the fifth worth greater than $100MM in total guarantees (as shown in MLBTR’s Extension Tracker). Players throughout the league have become frustrated with the slow pace of free agency and the lack of spending outside of the very top tiers of the free-agent market. Rather than test what has become a largely stagnant market, many players are simply opting into long-term arrangements with their current club, thus forgoing the stress and oft-disappointing outcomes free agency has presented over the past two years.

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Boston Red Sox Newsstand Transactions Chris Sale

Cardinals Extend Paul Goldschmidt
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AL East Notes: Red Sox, Tepera, Norris, Trumbo
View Comments (252)
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252 Comments

  1. dewssox79

    6 years ago

    extension the new trend

    Reply
    • CaliTwins

      6 years ago

      Players don’t want to test the horrible free agent market. Might actually boost loyalty

      13
      Reply
      • joshua.barron1

        6 years ago

        LOVE YOU SALE STAY FOREVER <3

        4
        Reply
        • joshua.barron1

          6 years ago

          5 years at $30mm/year is a bargain for what he brings to the table

          7
          Reply
        • ullnvrknw

          6 years ago

          What’s that? Value every 5 days? If you think that, trout got robbed

          1
          Reply
        • Bernie's Dander

          6 years ago

          Sale basically taking a “hometown discount” here. I’m still surprised the Sox gave out this deal given how badly Sale broke down at the end of last season.

          2
          Reply
        • Steven Chinwood

          6 years ago

          You just love to Troll Yankees and Red Sox articles…

          3
          Reply
        • frustratedpittsburghpiratesfan

          6 years ago

          I wish all teams could spend at same min and max.Small markets basically become a feeder to big markets. Maybe retract small market teams and have league of Just big markets

          Reply
        • petrie000

          6 years ago

          Padres and Rockies aren’t exactly big markets, but still found a lot of money to spend this off season.

          There’s a big difference between ‘could’ and ‘would’.

          5
          Reply
        • Stevil

          6 years ago

          Joshua, Mariner fans once said the same about Felix Hernandez.

          1
          Reply
        • Bernie's Dander

          6 years ago

          The Mariners wore Felix into the ground with all the innings he pitched earlier in his career. The Red Sox have tried to be more careful with Sale. Nevertheless that comparison is terrifying for Red Sox fans.

          3
          Reply
        • JoeBrady

          6 years ago

          You seem to think that Sale took less than he should’ve while implying the RS paid more than they should have because of the injury risk.

          Reply
        • JoeBrady

          6 years ago

          Think of it like this: Trout only has relevance 4x a game. Sale has relevance 35x a game.

          1
          Reply
        • Reggie Smith

          6 years ago

          To FrustratedPiratesFan

          Red Sox payroll $222m, Pirates payroll $58m. No way Pittsburgh is 1/4th the size of Boston. Either your owner is cheap or your fans don’t support the team.

          Seems like Steelers and Penguins have alway have found a way to compete.

          2
          Reply
        • proof2006

          6 years ago

          Market size doesn’t matter. Small markets get money from big markets.

          2
          Reply
        • Bernie's Dander

          6 years ago

          @JoeBrady. Good call there. I do feel like a healthy/dominant Sale could get more in the open market after 2019(while also viewing him as a orettt decent injury risk).

          After seeing his velocity drop 10MPH after July last year, I’d probably want to see him at his best before committing another $150m. But I have to think the Sox did their homework on this one.

          1
          Reply
        • Koamalu

          6 years ago

          It’s exactly what everyone expected. $30 million AAV. I thought he would get a 6th year.

          2
          Reply
        • Intothemystic90

          6 years ago

          Yep. How the hell does MLB trade rumors not understand the extension though. They say above his AAV hit for 2019 will now be $27.5 million but it won’t. It’ll still be $15 million because this new contract only goes into effect after 2019. They didn’t tear up his option year from 2019. So, the team remains under the highest threshold, for now anyway.

          Reply
        • Tpsilvertown

          6 years ago

          What small market fed this? Chicago? Take your our lady of the poor argument somewhere else.

          1
          Reply
        • Bernie's Dander

          6 years ago

          He DID get a 6th year. It just happens to be 2019.

          Reply
        • InPolesWeTrust

          6 years ago

          Hows that a hometown discount? 30m/yr for a + 30 y.o. pitcher? Five years could have been the discount you’re referring to, but any pitcher over 30 getting 30m or is a far cry from a hometown discount.

          Reply
        • InPolesWeTrust

          6 years ago

          No, he got a five year deal starting after 2019. Just like the corrections made on the Trout 10 year 360M extension when it was first reported it being a 12 year deal.

          Reply
        • martras

          6 years ago

          More like value on the mound every 6 days. MLB teams don’t play every single day.

          Trout would have to triple his productivity to be of the same value per game that Sale brings.

          Reply
        • bosox2004

          6 years ago

          Value? He’s great, but useless as a go-to guy after August

          Reply
      • petrie000

        6 years ago

        Not sure staying because of fear of getting shafted is the same thing as loyalty…

        8
        Reply
        • VonPurpleHayes

          6 years ago

          It will be marketed as loyalty for sure.

          2
          Reply
        • User 4245925809

          6 years ago

          Ha! Top players still get the cash, even not ones like Corbin, who signed for 140m few months back and is far less the SP as is Sale any day of the week.

          3
          Reply
        • Jbigz12

          6 years ago

          You also get Corbin with an extra year with a hefty amount of deferred money. Sale and Corbin didn’t get equivalent contracts.

          2
          Reply
        • joshua.barron1

          6 years ago

          That’s because Sale is a better pitcher (I don’t know how much better… but better for sure)

          1
          Reply
        • rivera42

          6 years ago

          Sale is much, much better than Corbin.

          5
          Reply
    • Kayrall

      6 years ago

      Verbs the new fossil

      1
      Reply
  2. Tyson’s Pet Tiger

    6 years ago

    Extension extravaganza

    Reply
    • Bernie's Dander

      6 years ago

      I have to think this means Mookie is gone. No way they will pay $100m for 3 guys(Price, Sale, Mookie).

      2
      Reply
      • Rocket32

        6 years ago

        Red Sox are one of the largest market teams in the league, this certainly doesn’t mean Mookie is gone.

        5
        Reply
        • Bernie's Dander

          6 years ago

          It’s just hard to pay $100m for 3 guys while expecting to have anything decent with the rest of your roster.

          They also have plans to get under the luxury tax in the next couple years. I’m not sure they can do that if they extend Mookie now.

          2
          Reply
        • Strike Four

          6 years ago

          You do understand that Boston basically has unlimited payroll? Mookie will Get $500M from Boston, JDM will probably get 250M.

          Reply
        • Equinsu Ocha

          6 years ago

          I feel like JD should get extended first. His effect on the team was two fold with his preparation and approach to hitting. Mookie is worth all the praise. but I have a hard time believing they’ll repeat. They really wont pay 3 guys 30 million per. If they fall out of contention for any number of reasons this year, wouldn’t it make sense to restock while they have someone who would net premium prospects? I love Mookie, but it doesnt see. realistic that they can afford to keep Price Sale Mookie and JD around… not to mention Xander!

          Reply
        • martras

          6 years ago

          Not really. The average MLB salary is $4.5M. Assuming the Red Sox pay 3 people $100M, they still have $100M for the other 22 players they need to sign which is $4.5M/player, right around the average.

          Large market teams can have about 3 terrible contracts and still compete.
          Mid market teams can have about 2 terrible contracts and still compete.
          Small market teams can have a a single terrible contract.

          Reply
      • grittyshaker

        6 years ago

        Don’t forget about JD and Xander

        Reply
        • gomerhodge71

          6 years ago

          Xander’s splitting and so is Mookie. The best shot they have of more extensions are J.D. and Porcello.

          3
          Reply
        • sorroxi

          6 years ago

          That’s is asininely inaccurate.
          Mookie will Be Resigned.
          1 of JD or Xander will Leave
          (Most Likely Xander)
          Then Porcello & JBJ will Leave

          Reply
        • therealryan

          6 years ago

          I agree that Mookie will be resigned. I also agree that the others will probably leave. This means that after this season the Sox will be at the top of the league in payroll, while removing their starting SS, starting CF, #3 SP, and top two BP arms from last season’s team without any reinforcements from the farm. They will also have JD, Sale and Price all on the wrong side of 30. Enjoy this season Sox fans because 2020 and beyond will probably be you fighting the Jays for 3rd place and maybe the 2nd wild card spot if things break right for you.

          1
          Reply
        • InPolesWeTrust

          6 years ago

          Agreed.

          Reply
        • pasha2k

          6 years ago

          JD I doubt will opt out, but X n Mookie I think are gone after Boras fills Xs head with a pot of gold, n Mookie always talking about money. Really Mookie isn’t winning me over with all his money talks. I hold out hope Benni will sign, but he’s classy keeping his mouth shut.

          Reply
      • lovethatdirtyh20

        6 years ago

        Either Price is traded or Mookie is gone.. One or the other. Of maybe Sox feel there is no way Mookie will sign.

        1
        Reply
        • barkinghumans77

          6 years ago

          I would think that they would prefer to keep Mookie being a homegrown player. Price may be difficult to trade though and I’m not sure how much money they’d be willing to eat.

          Reply
        • elmedius

          6 years ago

          Hasn’t Mookie been pretty vocal about trusting himself year to year until he plans to try the open market? Looking forward to the experience of free agency even though he “hopes” to come to a deal with Boston?

          Reply
        • sorroxi

          6 years ago

          He has an expensive AAV but after the 2019 season, He’d only be under contract for 3 years.
          That’s not too bad considering Verlander got moved making roughly the same amount of money, a little Less

          Reply
        • sorroxi

          6 years ago

          Mookie basically said ”i have a number in my head, & if you don’t meet that number. I’m out”

          1
          Reply
        • InPolesWeTrust

          6 years ago

          He said that? Where can I read that?

          Reply
      • Lenny Bruce

        6 years ago

        I know it’s sacrilege but I think Sox should consider trading Mookie NOW

        Reply
        • InPolesWeTrust

          6 years ago

          I had this convo yesterday. For sheets and giggles, I wonder what Mookie gets you on the market?

          Reply
        • Guest617

          6 years ago

          take a lap

          Reply
      • pasha2k

        6 years ago

        I agree with Lennie. Mookie is not endearing himself to the fans always talking about money. He should bring JD with him so he can have. Good yr cuz he couldn’t do it without him in the lineup. Sale on the other hand knows he couldn’t spend all the money he’s given in his lifetime. So……the point is it seems to be an ego thing that a player wants to out pay another player. I am so happy Sale signed, n very happy they signed Eovaldi also, my 2 faves

        Reply
  3. walls17

    6 years ago

    Whoa

    Reply
  4. hittingnull

    6 years ago

    Damn, as a Yankee fan, I wanted Sale after this season.

    4
    Reply
    • yanks02026

      6 years ago

      Yankees were never gonna touch chris sale and thank god hes signing long term with the Red Sox..

      4
      Reply
      • joshua.barron1

        6 years ago

        Yes, thank god the ace that just anchored us to a World Series is staying put while New York will finish in 2nd for the foreseeable. Thank god! I was worried there

        8
        Reply
        • rivera42

          6 years ago

          It was actually Price who was the hero for Boston this past post-season. New York will finish 2nd for the foreseeable future? That’s an interesting take. I personally believe that the Yankees are much better set up for the future than the Sox. I guess, we’ll have to wait and see what happens.

          9
          Reply
        • Ronk325

          6 years ago

          Red Sox are the team finishing 2nd this year with that horrendous bullpen and the Sale extension just means that JD and Bogaerts are leaving next year

          5
          Reply
        • joshua.barron1

          6 years ago

          Sale set the tone with that first win against the Yankees. If they don’t win that game I don’t think they beat NY in the series honestly. Price lasted 1 inning in game 2. Sale is a leader on that team and in the clubhouse, I know in the age of analytics we don’t care about a guy’s makeup but this dude is for real. The best pitcher of all time by K% and K%/B%

          2
          Reply
        • joshua.barron1

          6 years ago

          Ronk that’s what I heard at this time last year, how did it turn out for you ^_^

          2
          Reply
        • Ronk325

          6 years ago

          The Red Sox still had Kimbrel and Kelly last year. Now they’ll be relying on a middle inning reliever to be their closer

          5
          Reply
        • joshua.barron1

          6 years ago

          Kimbrel and Kelly were garbage for large stretches during the season. Bullpen is a concern for sure, but when half the league isn’t competing I think they’ll be ok until the trade deadline or playoffs

          2
          Reply
        • Ronk325

          6 years ago

          The only prospect of value the Red Sox have to trade is Chavis and they might need him long term. Plus every other contender has a better farm system than the Sox so they’ll likely be in the market for the bottom end relievers available

          3
          Reply
        • rivera42

          6 years ago

          We can’t be sure if Sox still beat the Yankees or not. There’s no denying that Sale is a bonafide stud. Although, he does have a propensity to slow down in the second half of the season, which is understandable considering his slim frame. You’re giving him way too much credit for your championship last year and not nearly enough to Price, who was Boston’s best/most important pitcher in the post-season last year. Of course, needless to say, take Sale off the Sox and they’re not nearly as good a team as with him.

          4
          Reply
        • Solar Flare

          6 years ago

          Yeah, but the difference is that they actually had a proven closer last year.

          5
          Reply
        • pocc

          6 years ago

          They have positional everyday players they can still trade for bullpen help.. It doesnt always have to come from the farm.

          1
          Reply
        • c ya

          6 years ago

          NOT! Josh

          1
          Reply
        • joshua.barron1

          6 years ago

          @Solar Flare did you watch the postseason? Kimbrel practically peed down his leg. They won in spite of him, not because of him. That’s why he’s a free agent on March 22nd

          3
          Reply
        • Steven Chinwood

          6 years ago

          Who might these positional players be?

          Reply
        • rivera42

          6 years ago

          Oh, really? Like who? Certainly won’t be Benintendi/Devers for pen help. The likes of Ed Nunez don’t have any value. The only guy I could possibly see is JBJ, but then the defense would take a significant hit. They’ll need Swihart as a back-up C and who knows how much value he’ll have.

          1
          Reply
        • redsox18

          6 years ago

          I guess you didn’t watch the playoffs.

          Reply
        • Phanatic 2022

          6 years ago

          Besides their bullpen…hahaha sox are a juggernaut for this year. But their FA starting in 2019/2220 will tear this team apart. If they would not spend for the bullpen this year to win they are not going to 300m to keep the rest of the guys there. I vote mookie betts for president. Either he leaves Boston and weakens them or gets his 45/50m per year and weakens the rest of the roster!!!

          Reply
        • SalaryCapMyth

          6 years ago

          Sale might have been injured but his second half stats were better than his first.

          Reply
        • gorav114

          6 years ago

          It’s ridiculous that you think Yankees will finish 2nd…i got them as 3rd

          3
          Reply
        • Pedro Cerrano's Voodoo

          6 years ago

          Rivera you’re spot on, but I’d put Eovaldi right there alongside Price in your breakdown.

          1
          Reply
        • Visco104

          6 years ago

          Wow you just flipped out him for no reason. Can’t wait to see which Yanks are gonna figure out Sale over the next few years. Can’t wait to watch Gary Sanchez destroy him over the Green Monster multiple times.

          Reply
        • sorroxi

          6 years ago

          Kelly had a 4.39 ERA last season
          & Kimbrel couldn’t be trusted in a World Series Run

          Reply
        • sorroxi

          6 years ago

          94Yankees thinks Mookie with JD or Xander won’t be Resigned.

          Guess you’re unaware they only have 140 Million Guaranteed on the Payroll for 2020 & 2021. Moron

          Reply
        • Intothemystic90

          6 years ago

          Fat chance. Gary Sanchez is a barely above average hitter and Sale is a top 5 pitcher. Sale will probably continue to own him like he has throughout his career.

          2
          Reply
        • Equinsu Ocha

          6 years ago

          anyone think Cora might run Eovaldi out there when the game is on the line? Arm health could really benefit from the reduced overall number of innings, and his stuff would play up late in the game.

          Reply
        • Sir Becks

          6 years ago

          That series was done in FA before, when Yanks trade for Stanton, and RS signed J.D. And it will be again if that stayed the same.

          Stanton is just a scared boy , who puts great numbers in regular season, in playoffs he will vanish again, and be disgrace for cleanup bat , home run king , and all that money locked up for him for that long.

          One more playoff like last year , fans will get to him and because he’s fragile, he will be even worst in coming years.

          I have made my mind when they get him and now is becoming evident.

          Yanks should wait one year and get Harper, that left bat between Judge and Sanchez would be perfect, and at home with that minor league right filed…….well. Not to mention much more marketability from Harper then Stanton.

          Reply
        • Steven Chinwood

          6 years ago

          Stick to soccer bro…

          Reply
        • Lenny Bruce

          6 years ago

          Love it

          Reply
        • Lenny Bruce

          6 years ago

          Beyond a hurt Severino, Yanks lack SP, just guys throwing BP. Bullpen? You won’t need one.

          Reply
      • InPolesWeTrust

        6 years ago

        Hater.

        2
        Reply
        • Lenny Bruce

          6 years ago

          Sox have better SP. A simple truth.

          Reply
    • hankwilliamsfan1986

      6 years ago

      they need to start getting better starting pitching overall. paxton is unproven and not the best choice they could have made

      1
      Reply
      • SalaryCapMyth

        6 years ago

        He wasnt? Who do you think they should have gone after? Do you think they should have given Corbin and even BIGGER contract? Because thats all there was. Kluber and Bauer were off the market once the Indians shed payroll with several smaller moves.

        Reply
    • Speak da Truth

      6 years ago

      Keep dreaming! Sale loves it in Boston and can endure the bright lights so he is the perfect candidate to stay long term. Only players who can’t produce under the bright lights in Boston don’t wanna stay.

      1
      Reply
    • Phanatic 2022

      6 years ago

      It would have been sweet

      Reply
    • lovethatdirtyh20

      6 years ago

      Oh well, as a Sox fan I feel terrible…..

      Sox are the new Big doggies on the block. They kicked the Yanks to the curb

      1
      Reply
    • Phanatic 2022

      6 years ago

      And verlander

      Reply
  5. fmj

    6 years ago

    You get an extension, You get an extension, You get an extension, You get an extension,

    8
    Reply
    • Varitek'sMitt

      6 years ago

      Everybody gets an extension!

      Reply
  6. Ryan W

    6 years ago

    Man future free agencies are going to feature all of 2-3 name-players. No more excitement 🙁

    1
    Reply
    • barkinghumans77

      6 years ago

      Winter Meetings might have a lot more trades though. Not every team giving out an extension will be happy with it.

      2
      Reply
      • Ryan W

        6 years ago

        Good point.

        Reply
      • Sir Becks

        6 years ago

        Next winter meeting will be large barbecue excursion.

        Reply
        • soxandpats

          6 years ago

          I’ll bring the tater salad

          Reply
        • Bostonsportsforlife

          6 years ago

          you better not put raisins in it, Karen

          Reply
  7. david klein

    6 years ago

    Man the players are petrified of free agency now. Sale is the most understandable one due to his shoulder. Come on Mets sign deGrom.

    1
    Reply
  8. BearsEatBeets

    6 years ago

    After the last two free agency periods, extensions suddenly look awfully appealing to players.

    1
    Reply
    • proof2006

      6 years ago

      Why? The superstars got paid, and got paid big. The ones not getting paid are non superstars pretending that they are.

      Reply
      • Sir Becks

        6 years ago

        When you have a chance to squeeze all you can in young talented player for 7 years or so before he’s free, FA guys are f’d.

        If they don’t get that change very soon, it will become like NFL , if you are on the wrong side of 30, bye bye

        Reply
  9. mlb1225

    6 years ago

    This extension has to start after the 2019 season, or be the same salary he would have been getting paid for 2019. The Sox were extremely payroll conscious this off season.

    Reply
    • Wags71

      6 years ago

      They can announce it at any time now and specify when it starts. They used to wait until opening day to announce extensions in the past but they don’t have to anymore.

      Reply
  10. kc38

    6 years ago

    Reminds me of the old mlb 2k game where every single free agent resigned with their team so free agency just sucked. Now it’s real life

    1
    Reply
    • dynamite drop in monty

      6 years ago

      Heck yeah bro

      Reply
  11. YelichdaGoat

    6 years ago

    The number of extensions in the last week is unreal lol

    2
    Reply
  12. kenleyfornia2

    6 years ago

    Next years free agent class went from epic to dull in 1 week

    4
    Reply
    • bastros88

      6 years ago

      judging from the past few years, it was probably gonna be a dull regardless

      1
      Reply
  13. asuchrisc

    6 years ago

    Wonder if JD Martinez opt outs played a factor. Unless he goes downhill surely he’ll opt out.

    Reply
    • wayneroo

      6 years ago

      I dunno. If the FA market stays like it is, he may stick around for the sure paycheck.

      1
      Reply
    • DarkSide830

      6 years ago

      id he plays close to where he did last year and is fully healthy, hey may still make the same amount if not better in FA. Less players on the market may help as well.

      Reply
  14. James1955

    6 years ago

    Extensions are the new .trend. The days of small market teams being the Yankees farm system are long gone

    Reply
  15. yankeefan363

    6 years ago

    Good he’s starting to get injured a lot you can keep him along with Price

    4
    Reply
    • joshua.barron1

      6 years ago

      Mmmmm Yankee tears taste so good…

      8
      Reply
      • yankeefan363

        6 years ago

        No tears at all

        2
        Reply
        • Reggie Smith

          6 years ago

          Sale and Price will be ready to go Day 1, how about Severino and Sabathia. Yankee fan talking trash about injuries. Funny!

          Strike me down with all your hatred, and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!

          2
          Reply
        • dynamite drop in monty

          6 years ago

          Haha word up broxhemmio

          Reply
        • Yankeedynasty

          6 years ago

          Like the cheating dead Sox are better. I’d that’s not dark skin, I don’t know what is

          Reply
        • Pedro Cerrano's Voodoo

          6 years ago

          I have Arod on line one….

          1
          Reply
        • Pedro Cerrano's Voodoo

          6 years ago

          I have Arod on line one …

          1
          Reply
      • AtlSoxFan

        6 years ago

        Do we need to get some vermont cheddar to go with the Yankee whine?

        2
        Reply
  16. pinballwizard1969

    6 years ago

    Sale will turn 30 in a little over 1 week. The Red Sox gave Price 7 yrs/$217M = $31M AAV at that point in his age/career. It will be interesting to see what Sale gets. I’m gonna take a wild guess and say 6 additional years (2020/2025) after this yr./$180M = $30M AAV at least.

    Reply
  17. luclusciano

    6 years ago

    The age of extensions and locking up players. I guess free agency issues will reset the idea of team loyalty. I like it.

    1
    Reply
  18. bjupton100

    6 years ago

    Dh, 1st has been the hardest hit of players in free agency. Goldschmidt should take an extension and Martinez should stay in Boston.

    Reply
    • Chewbacca

      6 years ago

      Goldy already got extension

      1
      Reply
      • nymetsking

        6 years ago

        Maybe he should sign another?

        2
        Reply
        • soxandpats

          6 years ago

          Will that be the new trend, signing an extension of the extension.

          Reply
  19. pplama

    6 years ago

    If it’s more than 5/150, it’s a mistake.

    5
    Reply
    • joshua.barron1

      6 years ago

      Well done! Lol

      Reply
    • wayneroo

      6 years ago

      Looks like that’s exactly what it is with some deferred.

      Reply
  20. bobtillman

    6 years ago

    Well, this should put a dent in the Tragic Opera Sox fans have developed about 2020…..it was beginning to sound like the Death of the Valkyries (or whatever that opera was)…..

    Guess what; Sox were bold. Good move? Who knows; Sale’s a bit of a flake, and sometimes his arm looks like it’s going to fall off.

    But he’s a pretty good player….(said with a bit of under-statement)….

    1
    Reply
    • 88winespodiodie

      6 years ago

      “A flake . . . .”? You must know!

      Reply
  21. tgovey

    6 years ago

    This is great news but I’ll be very curious to see how they handle Bogaerts. There’s not a strong SS free agent class next year and they don’t have anyone lingering on the farm.

    Reply
    • joshua.barron1

      6 years ago

      What about Didi?

      Reply
      • AtlSoxFan

        6 years ago

        We’ll presume he comes back from the extended injury ok.

        Reply
      • Sir Becks

        6 years ago

        No way Yanks let him go., of course if he’s healthy. The only left bat they have

        Reply
    • soxshortstop

      6 years ago

      Really wish CJ Chatham could hit for power. Defense is there…..

      Reply
  22. tim2686

    6 years ago

    Noooo. He was supposed to resign with the White Sox next year. It must have been a low-ball offer from Kenny. Dammit.

    Reply
    • Piro

      6 years ago

      I guess you got the wrong Sox.

      1
      Reply
    • Bruin1012

      6 years ago

      The White Sox couldn’t offer Sale anything since he was still with the Red Sox.

      Reply
  23. martras

    6 years ago

    The extensions are interesting. They haven’t been at extraordinarily discounted rates by any means so far. Maybe a little bit less than free agency, but I think there’s been an obvious impact on the willingness of players to accept security now based on market conditions.

    I think these types of contracts will really muddy the waters of the next CBA.

    1
    Reply
    • bobtillman

      6 years ago

      Yep; you got it Toyota……

      Reply
  24. ExileInLA 2

    6 years ago

    So does deGrom take the same deal, or does he ask for more because he has a higher 2019 salary to start with?

    Reply
    • bastros88

      6 years ago

      degrom still has two years of team control, where Sale only had 1 season left, so I’m not sure the extension is a smart move for the mets

      Reply
    • spinach

      6 years ago

      He should command less because he is further from free agency.

      Reply
  25. gmenfan

    6 years ago

    YOU get an extension, and YOU get an extension, and EVERYBODY gets an extension.

    Reply
  26. SupremeZeus

    6 years ago

    I predict Sale will miss significant time between years 3 & 5 of this deal.

    2
    Reply
    • Reggie Smith

      6 years ago

      I predict, in five years, Bill Smith will remind us repeatedly of this . . . if his guess is correct.

      Reply
    • rs04071318

      6 years ago

      I predict we hear absolutely nothing about this in 3-5, because Sale will be just fine.

      1
      Reply
    • lovethatdirtyh20

      6 years ago

      Bill Smith… did you purchase that crystal ball at KMart or Dollar Tree?

      2
      Reply
  27. KF

    6 years ago

    “Should the Sox cross the $246MM threshold, they’d move into the top bracket of luxury penalization, which would include a 75 percent tax on any dollars spent beyond that point and would also cause their top pick in the 2020 draft to be pushed back by 10 spots, though for the Sox, keeping Sale from testing the open market looks to have been deemed worth of incurring that level of penalization.”

    For the love of god, split that into two sentences.

    2
    Reply
    • Bruin1012

      6 years ago

      The new contract is an extension and will not effect 2019 payroll so the Red Sox are still under the 246 million probably closer to 241 million. They seem to be determined to stay under that 246 million this year. Highly doubt they go over the max two years in a row.

      Reply
  28. its_happening

    6 years ago

    Damned if you do, damned if you don’t scenario. Sale is their ace. Tough decision by the Red Sox. They’ve decided they want to keep Sale for a long time.

    3
    Reply
  29. Bosoxfan9

    6 years ago

    Great news. GO SOX…

    5
    Reply
    • canocorn

      6 years ago

      Golden Scissors Award to: Chris Sale

      Reply
  30. Topshelf Nick

    6 years ago

    Pittsburgh and Oalkand, time to lock up Taillon and Chapman

    2
    Reply
    • wayneroo

      6 years ago

      Now would definitely be the time for Oakland to get a deal done with Chapman.

      Reply
  31. Oxford Karma

    6 years ago

    If the Red Sox know they can rely on their starters to pull double duty in the playoffs and also pitch out of the bullpen, do they need a traditional closer? They didn’t trust and of them by the end of the postseason. This is an unconventional way to build a pitching staff. Excited to see how it plays out.

    Reply
  32. Solar Flare

    6 years ago

    I wonder who will be the next player that was to be part of the 2019-20 free agent market that gets extended?

    Reply
  33. Thor-DarkKnight-CaptainAmerica-16

    6 years ago

    Hey Wilpon’s, are you paying attention?

    Reply
    • nymetsking

      6 years ago

      Expect that Jose Reyes extension any day now.

      Reply
  34. CubsWS2016

    6 years ago

    This is PERFECT! Now Kenny Williams can re-sign him when he’s washed after this new contract is up.

    Reply
    • Intothemystic90

      6 years ago

      I don’t think you could force Chris Sale to go back to Chicago

      1
      Reply
  35. 123redsox

    6 years ago

    If the sox do retain sale long term, they have to find a way to shed Price’ contract. Having 2 guys for the same role of front of the rotation lefty making 30 million per year will hinder their ability to resign Betts, Bogaerts and Porcello.

    Reply
    • nymetsking

      6 years ago

      Porcello? I get the other two, but you’d rather have Sale leave than Porcello?

      1
      Reply
      • wayneroo

        6 years ago

        I’m betting Porcello is gone after this year, or back on a drastically lower deal.

        Reply
    • rs04071318

      6 years ago

      Betts will be gone in free agency. He’s made it clear that an extension is highly unlikely. The Sox will never offer a 10-12 year deal for $350m+ when he gets to FA.

      Reply
      • sorroxi

        6 years ago

        @162games he basically said
        ”I have a number in mind, & if you don’t reach that number. I’m out”

        I think they’ll *offer* it to him because Henry & Dombrowski seem very transparent about wanting to keep Mookie & They’ve let it be known but idk if he’s gonna accept.

        Reply
    • Horace Fury

      6 years ago

      Absolutely!! This Sale extension is a really rash move.

      Reply
  36. Yankeepatriot

    6 years ago

    At this point unless there is a huge reform free agency and arbitration are dying. Also The Sox will probably let Bogaerts walk

    #extensionmania2019

    Reply
    • sorroxi

      6 years ago

      They’ll have to chose between Xander or JD. & that could get more interesting if Xander asks for a lot less (20ish) than JD’s (25ish)

      Reply
  37. Smelly_Cobb

    6 years ago

    thank the LORD, I definitely don’t want him in the national league on a high payroll team like the doyers

    Reply
  38. fisk72

    6 years ago

    Great pitcher, miss him here in Chicago. Just be sure to not schedule him for throwback jersey night.

    1
    Reply
    • nymetsking

      6 years ago

      lol

      1
      Reply
    • rs04071318

      6 years ago

      The RS don’t have any throwback jerseys as ugly as those White Sox jerseys. I’d cut ’em up too. The 75 RS pullover is pretty bad, but still way ahead of that WS stuff.

      Reply
      • fisk72

        6 years ago

        Switch to decaf Francis.

        Reply
  39. R.D.

    6 years ago

    At the end of that contract he will have equal sox years, red and white. Thatd be wild to see on a hof jersey

    Reply
    • Intothemystic90

      6 years ago

      Actually, he’d have 8 years in Boston and 7 in Chicago at the end of that deal. And given he’s had his best seasons in Boston, won a World Series here, this deal all but assures he goes into the HOF with a Red Sox cap.

      1
      Reply
  40. vtbaseball

    6 years ago

    Great move by the Sox! I’m glad for Sale, he’s a class act when it comes to the game, I don’t think I’ve ever heard him make any excuses for a bad outing and just wants to give it his all to win.

    4
    Reply
    • Yankeepatriot

      6 years ago

      Didn’t that class act shred retro jerseys with the White Sox ?

      Reply
      • rs04071318

        6 years ago

        He did. Wouldn’t you?

        3
        Reply
      • vtbaseball

        6 years ago

        Yeah he did because it had an impact on his mobility and could have ruined his motion. He wanted to WIN and didn’t give a crap about some stupid promotional b.S. I applauded him for doing that.

        1
        Reply
        • petrie000

          6 years ago

          And let’s be honest, there’s very few retro white sox jerseys that don’t deserve a good shredding

          Reply
      • lovethatdirtyh20

        6 years ago

        yankeepatriot….. Oh my goodness.. He should have been banned from baseball. The horror

        Reply
  41. AngelDiceClay

    6 years ago

    He is going to regret not joining Trout in Anaheim

    Reply
    • AtlSoxFan

      6 years ago

      No offense in particular to those who like it, but many people hate metro LA and don’t want to live or work in that area. I have a sister that does and loves it. I’ve visited and hate it.

      Reply
      • AngelDiceClay

        6 years ago

        The Angels are located in Orange County. A lot better. OC is not part of LA Metro

        Reply
        • AtlSoxFan

          6 years ago

          That’s splitting gaits – your defining it technically as the political entity. I’m call it anything within 75 geographic miles of LA.

          Orange Co… been there, done that, never again thanks.

          Reply
        • AngelDiceClay

          6 years ago

          I’ve lived there all
          My life. You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m wondering what part of Orange County you were hanging out.

          Reply
        • AtlSoxFan

          6 years ago

          I do… it was the part that was ridiculously overpriced, densely populated with sprawl everywhere, and located in an utterly wacko dominated state govt and political structure.

          Actually I think that described the whole county pretty accurately. But anyways, to each their own.

          Just because some people don’t like the place doesn’t mean it can’t be paradise to others. Just don’t assume that everyone else HAS to live what you’ve got going on there – because we don’t

          2
          Reply
        • Killjoy391

          6 years ago

          Come on Halo, this guy visited once, he knows all about your hometown better than you do.

          Reply
  42. AtlSoxFan

    6 years ago

    My guess (and hope) is that it’s treated as a new contract much like the bregman deal was.

    IIRC, that was set up as new so that his salary was higher aav in the newer seasons but remained lower for this one for deadline deal cap room, lower the extension ones. This would/should be the same, to avoid highest level cbt.

    Reply
  43. Koamalu

    6 years ago

    So where are all the guys that were saying Sale was asking for 7/245?

    Reply
    • lovethatdirtyh20

      6 years ago

      In hiding? LOL

      Reply
  44. Robertowannabe

    6 years ago

    Just curious, but I always thought players got physicals when they showed up for camp. Do they not do that for baseball? Just was wondering why they still have to give Sale a physical.

    Reply
    • bobtillman

      6 years ago

      the team doctor has interesting tastes……not that there’s anything wrong with that……

      Reply
      • Intothemystic90

        6 years ago

        Damn, is Sale getting a prostate exam as part of the physical?

        Reply
    • Priggs89

      6 years ago

      I don’t know the answer for sure, but I’d imagine a physical prior to signing a giant contract would be MUCH more thorough than a basic one before spring training. I absolutely could be wrong about that though.

      1
      Reply
    • James1955

      6 years ago

      When a player signs a new contract, they have to pass a physical and a Doctor looks at their medical records. The team wants to know the risk they are taking with a new contract.

      1
      Reply
    • petrie000

      6 years ago

      If you were about to promise someone 150 million dollars, wouldn’t you want the team doctors to go over him without a fine tooth comb? Regardless of how up to date your medical information was?

      1
      Reply
    • Koamalu

      6 years ago

      The physical for a contract is more thorough and includes things like MRIs and other lab tests.

      Reply
  45. qbass187

    6 years ago

    Awesome!!!

    Reply
  46. RedSox Fan

    6 years ago

    Well deserved, time to lock up Bogy,Betts and JD!!!!

    Reply
    • AtlSoxFan

      6 years ago

      Pick 2 and cross your fingers.

      1
      Reply
    • Col. Taylor

      6 years ago

      Yeah !! Anybody else you want? How about some competitive balance ?

      Reply
  47. Phanatic 2022

    6 years ago

    Good for Boston… I’m so very jealous right now

    3
    Reply
    • lovethatdirtyh20

      6 years ago

      Highly unusual for a team to lock up 3 very good starters with a 4th under team control.

      I’m jealous of the NY BP

      1
      Reply
    • pasha2k

      6 years ago

      94 yankee fan, you shouldn’t be jealous, you hit a stocked BP, n some starting pitching. They may steamroll over the AL East

      Reply
      • sorroxi

        6 years ago

        Steamroll is a Reach.
        NYY has injuries, lots of them

        1
        Reply
        • Yankeepatriot

          6 years ago

          A lot is kind of a stretch. The only ones hurt are betances, CC and hicks. Hope they all get 100% soon

          Reply
  48. rmullig2

    6 years ago

    This takes up most of the money they save next year from Sandoval’s contract expiring. If they don’t want that draft pick to be dropped they will have to let either Porcello or Bogaerts go. Even then they will be cutting it close.

    Reply
    • AtlSoxFan

      6 years ago

      I’d expect sale takes the money from panda, eovaldi takes the money from kimbrel, and it’s a toss up between bogey taking the money from porcello OR mookie taking the money from porcello AND jd opting out.

      1
      Reply
    • sorroxi

      6 years ago

      Porcello is will be gone.
      I don’t get why everyone thinks Porcello is gonna be back, that’s how they’re cutting money

      1
      Reply
    • Koamalu

      6 years ago

      Instead of guessing, why not look at that they will actually have in terms of contracts on the books.

      docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mVYyinHlYUI0gE98Ag…

      Reply
  49. bjupton100

    6 years ago

    Good deal for both. Now they’ll be more willing to send Price and 15-20 million a year to TB for M Duffy.

    1
    Reply
  50. Jonthunder

    6 years ago

    That’s it?

    Is he hurt?

    Reply
    • JoeBrady

      6 years ago

      Yeah, last year. It was in all the newspapers.

      Reply
  51. whyhayzee

    6 years ago

    Passengers certain to die!
    Airline negligent.
    There’s a Sale at Fenway!

    Reply
  52. Horace Fury

    6 years ago

    This is so wrong.

    Reply
    • petrie000

      6 years ago

      No, it appears quite factually correct

      Reply
      • Horace Fury

        6 years ago

        Funny!

        Reply
  53. Everest

    6 years ago

    Love this signing. Next year flatbo contracts off the books and Porcello 22 m is also gone. I know Porcello needs to be resigned or replaced but this is a great signing. Maybe Porcello next. 2/40?

    2
    Reply
    • sorroxi

      6 years ago

      Let Porcello walk. Invest that money into a Different contract extension
      (Mookie, Xander, or JDM)
      Darwinzon Hernandez is a 22 Y/o Lefty who Throws 97MPH with an ETA of 2019
      It’s Time to Trust the Farm

      1
      Reply
  54. pasha2k

    6 years ago

    I’m so happy about Sale!!!! He’s a great guy n teammate, n I just love the way he addressed this issue saying he wants to play in Boston. I don’t hear Mookie coming across the same way. I hafta say it has turned me off. Mookie needed JD in order to have a great year, without JD they would bot have won the division n WS. I don’t have his 2017 numbers but he did zero in the playoffs that yr. anyways, I loved that Sale is staying.

    2
    Reply
  55. pasha2k

    6 years ago

    I like Porcello, 2016 was a fantastic yr, he is erratic but I think he’ll have a good yr, last yr was good!

    Reply
  56. sufferforsnakes

    6 years ago

    More insanity.

    Reply
  57. evilempire28

    6 years ago

    Awful violent throwing motion. Major arm issue waiting to happen.

    1
    Reply
    • petrie000

      6 years ago

      I mean, he’s made it this far without them, so I’m not sure I trust this expert analysis…

      4
      Reply
    • sorroxi

      6 years ago

      They been saying that Since 2012

      3
      Reply
    • Reggie Smith

      6 years ago

      Who’s Yankees Ace? Severino? How’s he done since last 4th of July? Too bad playoffs aren’t played in June. Am I right?

      Reply
    • lefty58

      6 years ago

      10 years ago you had a point.

      Reply
  58. mafiabass

    6 years ago

    Why wouldn’t he pass a physical? Hasn’t he already passed one this spring?

    Reply
  59. pasha2k

    6 years ago

    Of course, just an official one stated with new contract.

    Reply
  60. Strike Four

    6 years ago

    Boston: 4 titles in last 19 years
    Yankees: 1 title in last 19 years

    Yet Yankees fans still will talk trash, when they haven’t shown they haven’t known how to get the job done over the last 2 decades and Boston has. Sale is one of the best pitchers of this generation. Hard to see Boston being bad as long as he’s on the team.

    8
    Reply
  61. Thor-DarkKnight-CaptainAmerica-16

    6 years ago

    BVW and Wilpon’s, are you paying attention?

    Reply
  62. pullhitter445

    6 years ago

    That’s a steal for one of baseballs top 5 starters

    2
    Reply
  63. DarkSide830

    6 years ago

    the biggest winners from these extentions in my mind are actually the players who dont accept them. FA markets being less crowded helps players on the market, especially starting pitchers.

    Reply
    • johnrealtime

      6 years ago

      You’d have thought so but the SP free agent market this winter wasn’t very crowded yet look at Keuchel

      Reply
    • AtlSoxFan

      6 years ago

      I’d take the opposite line.

      If you have 10 competitive teams, and 8 extend their FAs, they no longer have need for the 4 guys free. So you have 2 aggressive bidders for 4 guys.

      If you have 10 competitive teams, and 2 extend their FAs, you have 10 guys free, but 8 aggressive bidders going after the best of the best. Drives wages up.

      (Numbers arbitrary for example)

      1
      Reply
  64. Koamalu

    6 years ago

    If all the escalators are met (none are for winning the Cy Young, just for being in the top few in voting) and the option is vested at the highest level Sale can make $190 million for 6 years. That is a solid contract for one of the best starters in baseball.

    1
    Reply
    • Intothemystic90

      6 years ago

      But because such a substantial portion of his pay is deferred, he actually wouldn’t make anywhere near that much in today’s dollars. As it is, the guaranteed portion of Sale’s contract is only worth $118.5 million. If you add the $15 he’s getting this year, that comes out to $133.5 million for 6 years, or $6.5 million less than what Corbin got this year. That is an absolute steal and I’m honestly shocked the PA allowed it to go through. Kind of feels like the Red Sox took advantage of Sale’s desire to stay. Of course it’s still a lot of money, but substantially less than what he’s worth.

      Reply
      • bush1

        6 years ago

        Just a guess but maybe Sale’s shoulder fatigue/injury thing he dealt with came into it. There’s no doubt Sale has been reliable, but I doubt anyone would be shocked if he started breaking down big time as early as this year with all those innings on that rail thin frame. Obviously I don’t know if that played into it, but it certainly seems a possibility.

        Reply
        • Intothemystic90

          6 years ago

          Uh, no. The Red Sox would not have extended him if he wasn’t healthy. Hell, he had to pass a physical for the extension to kick in. They know his health better than anyone. Sale doesn’t even have anything in his contract protecting the team in case of injuries (other than the 6th year option doesnt vest if he spend time on the IL that year), so that should pretty much put that theory to bed. They did, however, structure a deal with JD to protect themselves from injuries because, unlike Sale, he actually had a history of injuries.

          Reply
        • bush1

          6 years ago

          Yes, I’m aware that he would’ve had to pass a physical and is healthy now. I’m simply saying the fact that he got banged up last year, and the chance for it to happen again may have played a role on why he signed for a lighter number then he could’ve gotten if he waited it out until free agency. That’s all I’m saying. Injuries can obviously happen at anytime to a pitcher, and a hard throwing guy with quite a few miles is for sure at risk to some degree. That’s all I’m saying. No he’s not all broken down at this very moment. Obviously….

          Reply
  65. jdodge22

    6 years ago

    You all are forgetting one factor.. these guys love each other very much. I’m not saying they’ll play for peanuts but if they get decent offers I think they’ll take them. Not mookie though. It seems to me he is taking himself far too seriously. The talk about feeding future players families was pretty silly

    1
    Reply
    • Koamalu

      6 years ago

      One minor injury in the next 2 years and Mookie will be looking at less than $200 million guaranteed. Sometimes it makes sense to take care your family and your children and your grandchildren with a guarantee.

      Reply
  66. bush1

    6 years ago

    Who in the world cares about the 2022 Sale opt out situation?!?! I’m not a Red Sox fan, but know they have much bigger fish to fry with Betts, Martinez, and Bogaerts contract situations. Actually the Red Sox probably want Sale to opt out in 3 years. It’s such a weird point to bring up because it’s so far down on their priority list.

    Reply

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