Teams are reportedly checking in with the Red Sox on the availability of seven-time All-Star Chris Sale, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post. However, Heyman notes that Boston is “not looking to trade any of their starters,” but is “willing to listen and consider.” Sale is currently owed $55MM through the 2024 season. Nevertheless, Sale has full veto power over any potential trade by virtue of his 10-and-5 rights (ten years of Major League service time, including at least the past five with the same team).
Arriving in Boston after the 2016 season, Sale continued to display his superiority on the mound, pitching to sub-3 ERAs in 2017 and 2018 while helping the Red Sox win their fourth World Series Championship since 2000. Following their victory, Boston and Sale soon hammered out a five-year, $145MM extension (with a vesting option for the 2025 season) that many believed to be a bargain at the time for a starting pitcher that had seven consecutive All-Star appearances, six consecutive Top-5 Cy Young finishes, four consecutive seasons of MVP consideration, and boasted a career 2.89 ERA in 1482 1/3 innings with a 30.2 SO%, 5.7% BB, and 42.9% ground ball rate.
However, after signing that extension Sale went on to have arguably the worst full season of his career. In 2019, the southpaw saw his ERA balloon to a career-high 4.40 in 147 1/3 innings while dealing with inflammation in his pitching elbow that forced a premature end to his year.
After rehabilitation and undergoing a platelet-rich plasma injection, expectations were high for the lefty as the extension went into effect for the 2020 season. However, Sale would soon be forced to undergo Tommy John surgery in March 2020, missing the entirety of the truncated season and the first half of the 2021 season. He was then shelved for the beginning of the 2022 season due to a stress reaction in his ribcage, and he suffered a broken pinkie finger upon being hit by a comebacker shortly after returning. Then, shortly before he was scheduled to return to the club, the Red Sox announced in early August that Sale had fractured his wrist in a bicycle accident and would miss the remainder of the season.
Altogether, it’s been a near-nightmarish start to the contract extension for the Red Sox, although this year’s slate of injuries, in particular, seem fluky in nature. To Sale’s credit, in the small amount of time he’s been healthy enough to take the mound during the first three years of the extension, he’s been excellent. In those 48 1/3 innings, Sale owns a 3.17 ERA with a strong 27.4%% strikeout rate against a tidy 6.3% walk rate. Inning-for-inning, that’s largely the type of performance the Sox were hoping for — but Sale’s body has not held up.
The 33-year-old Sale (34 in March) is but one of many question marks for the Boston rotation. Nick Pivetta is the only largely established starting option for the Sox heading into 2023. Top prospect Brayan Bello is tentatively lined up for a turn in the rotation but didn’t quite seize one in this year’s rookie effort (57 1/3 innings, 4.71 ERA — albeit with better secondary marks and sparks of brilliance). Righties Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck have rotation potential but both have thus far been shuttled between the starting staff and the bullpen. Additional righty starters Kutter Crawford, Josh Winckowski, and Connor Seabold were all posted ERAs north of 5.25 as rookies in 2022.
With Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Wacha, and Rich Hill departing via free agency and Sale and James Paxton (also returning from injury) wild cards, the Red Sox were expected to target starting pitching this offseason. Nevertheless, the club has yet to add to their staff, instead fortifying their bullpen and adding position players Masataka Yoshida and Justin Turner.
From a financial perspective, if Sale, who is projected to be healthy for Spring Training, can return to even a fraction of his dominant self, the Red Sox will have control of a top-tier starting pitcher who can be considered ’cheap’ when compared to other high-level starters that have recently signed large contracts with AAVs greater than $35MM, such as Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Gerrit Cole, and Jacob deGrom. That’s not to say that Sale is currently at the level of those pitchers, but that he has been at similar heights and could reasonably reach a prominent level of production again
Currently, Roster Resource projects Boston’s payroll to be near $177MM, and their competitive balance tax figure to be roughly $203MM. With the base competitive balance tax threshold set at $233MM for the 2023 season, the Red Sox are in no rush to shed salary and may instead hold onto Sale in the hopes that he returns to his pre-Tommy John levels of excellence.
Justin Tucker?
Good FG kicker, lol
Was never a bargain. Many like me were against the extension as he was already breaking down at the time. I’ve been wrong on extensions going all the way back to Lester but while no one expected him getting hit by a batted ball or then the bike incident, his contract was the single biggest reason why the team couldn’t get under the cap and give Mookie his money (had they otherwise wanted to). If he’s truly healthy, he’s the #1 reason to visit Fenway in 23 as of this moment. That said if they could package him, Story AND Cora, I’m in for a true re-build at this point. Memo to ownership: either you’re pregnant or you’re not. No more threading the needle seasons. They very rarely work
dewey – Fantastic post! Yes, absolutely if we could ship off Story’s entire contract and Cora I’d be fine with having to include Sale to do so.
But you’re wrong about Sale’s contract being the biggest obstacle to retaining Mookie.
Sale’s LT AAV has been “only” $25.6M while Price’s had been $32M.
Price’s contract was the main culprit, not Sale’s.
I still like Cora. He made some bad decisions this year but he got us 2018 and pretty far in 2021. Remember that he has to use what Bloom gives him.
The reason they couldn’t extend Mookie is because Fenway Group was buying a hockey team and building a stadium for their soccer team.
deweybelongsinthehall;
Please get off the Mookie thing.
For the 4 hundredth time – the man had no intention of signing an extension with the Red Sox. He made it clear he wanted to “Test the market” – codewords for “I want to get out of here and get the best deal I can in a place I want to play in.”
Why do you Red Sox fans always have to have someone(s) to blame when circumstances don’t go your way. Like spoiled children that expect everything to be perfect in life and whine when they don’t get their way….
It’s Dombrowski’s fault – he’s no good. It’s Bloom’s fault – he doesn’t do anything right. And now – It’s Sale’s fault we lost Mookie.
If Mookie had stayed you people would have been complaining about him starting 2 years ago……and don’t think he didn’t know that.
This board is more entertaining than TV.
Happy Holiday’s to all. Baseball is nice. It’s hardly the most important thing in life.
Not all Red Sox fans are like that…
Why does everyone always generalize and assume that every team’s fans think the same? I could say the same thing about that
Fever – the things nobody remembers is that even in 2019 Pedroia and Pablo were eating over 40m in salary.
In 2018 you had Hanley as well, bumping it up around 65m.
Effectively, DD was working in around 170-185m in active payroll. And he had 3 straight al east wins and a WS.
Had they REALLY wanted to do something, the club could’ve come to an arrangement with Pedey the way NYY did with Arod. Even Price’s salary wasn’t a stonewall against the tax threshold.
If Mookie had been extended there was nobody to worry about 3rd tier penalties, and, it would’ve been easy to dip the following year. Even the one years penalties is a small price to pay for a single year to go after another pennant/WS or 3.
Or even more egregiously thinking that this behavior is specific to Redsox fans lol
I’m absolutely certain Mookie was NOT going to stay, same as I was absolutely certain Judge would stay. These guys aren’t that hard to read. Bogaerts and soon Devers are also gone. I don’t know if it’s Boston, the fans, the organization, or what. Boston seems to run hot and cold with players. Loyalty is harder and harder to come by. BUT if a guy wants to stay, figure out a way to keep him. Build a TEAM for gosh sakes. They’ve done it before. Come on.
Plus, Mookie hated Boston and came out with a fake-racism comment against the city so he didn’t look like the bad guy.
So your not going to mention the stockpile of young afforable talent left behind for DD? Bogaerts, Devers, Betts, Benintendi, Bradley, Holt, Vasquez, Eduardo Rodriguez, Barnes and several more? None were brought in by DD.
That group of very cheap talent left over doesn’t offset 3 bad contracts? Give me a break.
Pathetic take — Under the cap, Boat loads of talent. DD walked into a great situation, regardless of 3 bad contracts, which any new GM in a big market town would inherit.
hayzee – Claiming Mookie would not stay is merely deflection.
Sox made an opening offer of $300M.
Boras countered with $420M.
If the Sox were willing to actually negotiate, and split the difference, Mookie would have signed for $360M … which would have been just $5M less than what he got from the Dodgers.
milt – Can you please provide a link to the racism quote?
Price was pre-existing whereas the Sale deal was new money after extending Eovaldi.
The Fenway Group bought the Penguins in 2021, 4 years after Betts left the Red Sox
One has nothing to do with the other
PW, I’m in the opposite camp. The team overachieved in 21 but they don’t get to the championship round if Bennie is in the OF instead of Renfroe. They rode the hot hitting of Renfroe and then KH to overachieve and then the whole team stopped hitting. Give credit to the Astros’ staff. Cora does in my view a very good job with the lineup but just can’t handle a pitching staff. Some things are not his fault but you need to balance the work load in May and June as otherwise the staff will be shot by October. Bloom did a good job getting some surprise pick ups but mostly the staff was exhausted and had little left for the Astros series.
Partially. Fenway has become an international brand with resources being no longer exclusively used on the Red Sox,:. the race track, the soccer team, the Vegas basketball and Washington football clubs they want to buy. Sox fans have gotten spoiled with the championshios. No one can expect to win every year but fans deserve to expect the team they’ve supported to either be able to compete or to be shown a full re-build.
Samuel. Please go back to my posts before you started to chime in. I’ve said exactly what you just posted over and over again. My point was in general how I have been wrong in not wanting the long term deals of you’re trying to stay under the tax threshold every three years to reset it but I but in 2020, the world knew the Sox “had” to trade him and thus the return was limited (I actually still think they did remarkably well under the circumstances as who was offering more?). Had they not signed Sale, they could have offered $350m or so and yes he would have turned it down.. I believe the pandemic was the only reason why he signed and didn’t become a free agent.
Because Samuel is Samuel.
GA. Nice post. How many predicted clubs to ignore the tax implications this off season? Boston ownership has to act like a big market clubs next year. Don’t trade your farm before you’re ready to win. I’ve been against paying Devers because of his glove but now the team better in my view pony up. Should they not, I can see Fenway becoming a relatively speaking, a ghost stadium and NESN ratings? What ratings? Everyone needs to also stop supporting the Globe.
This ownership has never extended long term outside of DD and Eovaldi and Sale. If Papi we’re playing today, he’d too would be out the door. They expect discounts like Pedie took from everyone. It’s like Henry looks for the arbitrage gains with each deal or he’ll let the player walk.
They hadn’t won with that talent outside of Pedie and Ortiz and Ortiz was retiring. DD has taken every team he’s run to the WS. Give the man some credit.
Fever, no he wouldn’t have. I’m repeating myself but Mookie was always going to become a free agent and only the world changing with COVID did he look to sign early.
i never seen that quote from mookie.however i was at a red sox orioles game in 15 or 16 where fans were callig machado a scumbag half breed, then thew a can of beer at him,then fans in the outfield called adam jones a n%&ger then threw hot dogs and beer at him.but that doesnt mean all fans are like that.
I don’t think Betts was ever repped by Boras.
Theman has been hitting the eggnog. Mookie left in 2020 and Henry started working on the penguins in 2019.
Umm . TheMan doesn’t appear to know math. Sox traded mookie in Feb of 2020 during the offseason.
FSG purchased the penguins in Nov 21.
Only in bloom world does that equal 4 years.
You mean the same ‘Machado’ that intentionally injured Dustin Pedroia, and cut his career short? If we’re talking about the same Machado he is a “scumbag”.
Here’s the video, you make the call:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbAYcXPhIUE
Here’s another one calling him the “Dirtiest Player in Baseball”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mNtJz8-WFQ
“Fenway becoming a relatively speaking, a ghost stadium”
4 championships in 20 years. Waaaaaaaahhh.!
Dream on, not going to happen.
“This ownership has never extended long term outside of DD and Eovaldi and Sale.”
Dustin Pedroia (8yrs), Adrian Gonzalez (5yrs), Kevin Youkalis (4yrs), David Ortiz (4yrs), Manny Ramirez (8yrs), Josh Beckett (4yrs) all want to call you a liar.
Fake? Have you ever been to a game at Fenway?
“Because Samuel is Samuel.”
And proud of it!
TM3, As usual, you are wrong. TFG entered negotiations to by the Penguins in August 2019. COVID interrupted that process. Betts was traded to the Dodgers in 2020.
Bogaerts also took a very team friendly extension.
I agree they were exhausted and overperformed but Cora pushed a lot of right buttons late September and October.
dewey – True, but we are talking as of the 2019-2020 offseason …. correct?
There was no edict to trim payroll until mid-2019, which of course led to Dombrowski’s departure.
dewey – Why am I seeing responses to a poster I have muted? I shouldn’t be.
Why does EVERYONE always generalize? Just like you just did?
dewey – I have clear proof Mookie was interested, or at least willing, to stay in Boston.
He made an official counter-offer of $420M to which the Red Sox never responded.
If Mookie truly wanted no part of staying in Boston, he would not have made that counter offer.
Blancos – You’re right I was thinking of Xander, my bad.
Got to agree, Price was the one .
Life – Thank you, that’s exactly how I remembered it as well.
I have pointed out many times the newly imposed payroll restrictions Henry put on the Red Sox coincided with his pursuit of the Penguins …. it’s not a coincidence.
People need to get a grip on reality, the Red Sox are NOT John Henry’s priority anymore and haven’t been since 2019.
You just proved my point, thank you.
Betts left the Red Sox in late 2019.
Speaking of what Bloom gives Cora, “Nick Pivetta is the only largely established starting option for the Sox heading into 2023.”
Zoinks!
It’s Dombrowski’s fault – he’s no good. It’s Bloom’s fault – he doesn’t do anything right.
===========================
And before that, it was Theo and Tito’s fault. And the same people that castigated T&T were usually willing that they were both HOFers.
It’s a Red Sox thing.
@deweybelongsin the hall I thought it was a desperate move by the Red Sox at the time. When sale is healthy, he is CY Young worthy. That seems to be like a light switch with on and off in regards to his health.
Joe – Yes, only Red Sox fans criticize some decisions made by the manager and front office.
No Yankee fans have ever criticized Cashman, Boone, Girardi, or Torre.
Just like fans of every other team, right? It’s only Red Sox fans you look down on.
Keep ragging on Sox fans in Sox threads, that will make you popular.
Fever – most corporations in the USA compensate influences. Why should chaim bloom led red sox be different?
That’s a basis for some supporters on baseball sites I’d imagine.
Remember- Bloom has to work with what ownership gives him.
Can he pass a physical?
It does to many fans. Ownership is spending cash flow where they see the higher rate of return over a certain time span whereas in the past, they seemed to do what was in the Sox’ best interest. They have always played for today letting contracts expire but in recent years they’ve been burned by underestimating the market.
Huntington, Pedie took a team favored longer term deal and then many on this forum expected him to retire and eat what he earned. The Gonzalez deal they traded away almost while the ink was still wet with Beckett and Crawford. The other deals of four years are not long.
Cost of going to the game being what it is, even if corporations still buy the seats, people will still stop going. I’m old enough to remember going to a game at Fenway as a spontaneous decision and getting great box office seats. Obviously then there was only the box office and Ticketmaster or Ticketron (before the Internet).
Exactly. It was reported as he was fired. I’m now thinking ownership reneged on the continued plan DD came to Boston on and it was at least a mutual decision.
No idea. I’m on an Android and don’t see a mute button
At the time, no one took that as a serious offer. It might today be considered one depending on the years but in 2020, there were no 40 M per year contracts.
Pirates. The team needs a HOFer type in August through the end of the season. Sale has tired every season he wasn’t hurt by August. Look at his Sox stats be it White or Red.
“The other deals of four years are not long.”
From Google:
“Nathan Eovaldi signed a 4 year / $68,000,000 contract with the Boston Red Sox, including $68,000,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $17,000,000.”
Per your own words: If Dombrowki signs a 4 year contract, it counts as long-term, yet when other GM’s do it, its isn’t long-term. Huh? Of course DD’s awesome, if you change the rules when making comparisons.
Also, what happened to “Never”, you put in your first comment???
Another Dombrowski cheerleader.
You might have to add Devers to that list. No point in having a $30M aav player on a rebuild team. I believe he has 1 more year of team control.
4 years? It still hasn’t been 4 years.
GASox – I agree, could be a paid influencer. I see a lot of that on stock forums, some always hyping a stock while others are always trashing it.
They could also be a friend, relative or acquaintance of Bloom or someone else in the front office.
What would be really sad is if they are one of those trolls who can’t get positive attention, so they seek negative attention.
123 – You’re right, and so far Bloom has a history of wasting FSG’s money.
The Story contract being Exhibit A.
I’d put the story contract somewhere down around exhibit v or w….
You’ve got to start WAAAY earlier, with better examples… years of signing guys like peraza and churning through 3-5m deals getting zero out of them. Signing a guy like paxton who didn’t do great in the AL east when healthy, except, doing it when old and damaged… trading for JBJ with a 20-someodd million salary to go over the cbt and blow your draft compensation for QOs?
Story hasn’t been great, but, he’s exactly what you expected him to be. And has a larger name FA, you had to pay a pr*ck tax to get them to come to Boston given the recent articles that are circulating about how people around the league view BOS under bloom as somewhere NOT to go because of zero chance of winning and a toxic culture
“signing a guy like paxton”
Everyone knows Wacha, Hill and Paxton were all brought in to fill-out the bottom of the rotation. No way they go 3 for 3 on those signings. To forget the other two while only mentioning Paxton, is disingenious at the least.
False Huntington…
Paxton was a bad signing the day they announced it. You had guys like ward, politi, Houck even Whitlock although he should’ve been kept in pen only that could’ve better served to fill the back of the rotation had bloom made any effort proactively to build an actual bullpen with money he wasted on Paxton.
Ward? Youre kidding right? Ward pitched at Single A, High A and Double A for a combined 50 innings, as he recovered from TJ Surgery. Wow! Okay whatever. Marcelo Mayer shouldve been playing 2nd Base too. Lol.
To forget the other two while only mentioning Paxton, is disingenious at the least.
=============================
$17M for 4.2 bWAR. 19-9 with a 3.79 ERA combined. No l/t commitment. I’d be curious why people don’t think these three were a great signing.
Huntington, sorry for the late reply. Four years is not in my view lengthy when we see six or more years often. I thank Dombrowski for 18 the same way I thank Theo. You do the best you can with what ownership provides.
Phillies? Dombrowski certainly has a history with Sale. I would prefer – if they take a flyer on an aging starter – that it be Cole Hamels, but Sale would work too.
If Bloom trades Sale as well I think he needs to be strung up from the ladder hanging off the Monster and left dangling in the wind.
If Bloom trades Sale he should get a Nobel Prize. Are you kidding? He’s been a complete disaster.
No, not kidding.
Tell me, who are you going to cheer for if sale goes? Which no-name failed former draft pick that has zero history with the team?
Who are you going to cheer for if he DOESN’T trade him? He’s a broken-down former ace who can’t stay on the mound long enough to make any kind of impact. The sooner they can get him off the books the better.
Cheer for your amazing gm Bloom. Sale can still pitch the few times a year he is healthy. For a solid return it’s better to eliminate risk and salary. One of the worst contracts in history. Hey lets give a big extension to a guy who obviously needs tj surgery.
He’s definitely at peak value.
He did help Boston get a ring. And flags fly forever
yeah because we trust Bloom to get a good return for Sale right? Just like he got a nice return for Mookie, Xander, JDM, and others.
That 3.09 ERA is a total disaster. Without him there is no ring in 2018.
Needing TJ is something nearly every pitcher goes through now days. COVID protocol IL is not his fault. The rib stress fracture is. The medical issue was not his fault. Getting hit by a batted ball is not his fault. Falling off his bike is.
He has been a mixed bag.
Mookie was a good return. 5 years of a sure thing good player for 1 year of elite. That’s a good trade. And the possibility of a top 100 prospect hitting. Other guys no idea why they didn’t trade them. Thinking it might be a ownership call. Because if it wasn’t and my gm lost those guys for nothing he would be fired.
They had him for the championship already. Let him hit free agency. Can’t see any other team being stupid enough to give that contract to a guy who needed tj.
If you think the return for Mookie made it a good trade I really don’t think highly of your baseball knowledge.
“Peak” value. What was he in 2018, 19. . . aka any year before now.
You don’t need much knowledge to figure out that 5 years of a good player is worth at least as much as 2 months of a great or even elite player.
Ring came in 2018. Contract came in 2019. The two have nothing to do with each other.
The best return you can get for Sale is clearing as much of his salary as possible. He’s a salary dump, nothing more nothing less
I m sure that is exactly what Bloom is thinking too
I cheer for wins and laundry. Players are commodities
Betts provided the Dodgers with 3.6 WAR in his one season of control after the trade. Price provided 0.5 WAR during his 3 seasons of control after the trade.
Verdugo has provided the Red Sox with 5.5 WAR so far with 2 seasons of team control to go.
Make your own decisions on who came out on top. Those were the stats.
I think my sarcasm was lost in the Christmas cheer.
If Sale is healthy the Sox are better off letting him start a few games to establish his value.
Makes sense.
Mid-season would be the place then. If Sale reestablishes some value, Red Sox fall out of contention, find someone with a desperate need for a Starter.
like grey did with Eovaldi last deadline?
Betts provided the Dodgers with 3.6 WAR in his one season of control after the trade. Price provided 0.5 WAR during his 3 seasons of control after the trade.
=================================
Slamdunk, Betts & Price have combined for 15.5 bWAR for a combined $99M. Verdugo has a 5.5 bWAR for $5M.
Which means LAD got 10 bWAR for $94M. And for at least two more years, this should continue to favor Boston.
Randy Red Sox
like grey did with Eovaldi last deadline?
===========================
1-Who is grey.
2-Eovaldi had no value at the trade deadline. His July ERA was 11.08, and went on the DL on August 6. Guys that are hurt, and performing poorly, and cost $17M, aren’t as popular as you think.
DD appears to be stuck in some kind of time-loop or repetition-compulsion that makes him pick up all these former Sox players he’s had before–of course, Kimbrel, and his Rule 5 plunder of Cameron Cannon and Noah Strong, both of whom he drafted, and even CJ Chatham. A DD/Sale reunion would be poetic justice.
Horace Fury;
Dave Dombrowski isn’t a PoBO that looks at analytics to determine if a player is worth acquiring. He’s an old line FO person that over 45 years ago ran farm systems. He understand players mechanics, how they think, what they respond to. He likes to acquire players he had on other teams that were successful, but are not doing well recently. He believe he can have his coaches get them back on track. More often than not he does.
Poetic justice when Sale throws 320-360 innings of sub 3.00 ERA ball over the next two seasons of his contract?
Holy moly!! I totally forgot about Hamels. Did he even pitch last year?? I know the couple years before that he was a shell of his former self.
Hamels is supposedly healthy…had three surgeries…all rehabbed, and looking to take one more shot at things. As a Phils fan, I would love to see him in spring training; he is going to have to take a minor league deal so why not?
However from what I hear he will probably end up elsewhere. Which is a shame as it could be a perfect ending for him and the fans. Great kid.
If Hamels will sign a 1 year 5 million deal Bloom MIGHT be interested.
Holy moly!! I totally forgot about Sale. Did he even pitch last year? I know thd couple years before that he was a shell of his former self.
As a Phils fan, my first reaction is – don’t waste the effort. Too much of an injury history, and when a guy comes back from TJS and has all sorts of other issues that keep him off the field, it just seems as if his days of throwing many innings are over.
Then I hesitate, and start thinking about the deal…only two years left, and just maybe he is ready to pitch again and maybe we get lucky and steal a guy that can throw playoff innings from the scratch and dent aisle at a clearance price.
It ends up with – the price that it would take to get him (given that the Red Sox need him more than the Phils) would be far more than I would pay…like most trade concepts.
I believe the Red Sox added Justin Turner, not Justin Tucker. Should be updated.
all i want for christmas is a clickbait non-story
In that case, MLBTR says “you’re welcome”.
Pretty crazy that pitching is so valuable Sale has only pitched 48 1/3 innings of quality ball-or, around 7 games started and taken to the set up man/closer or only 5 complete games- and the rest has been an unequivocal disaster and he’s still seen as valuable.
But hey, maybe he’s the type to stay healthy enough once every few seasons to “justify” a new mega contract and then his body promptly falls apart on him. Plus 3.17 ERA IS a good ERA but it’s not elite enough to be worth $30M+ per season.
Watch him bounce back wherever the final year of the deal, promptly get 2 years/$67M from somebody and promptly fall apart again…
Winds up being paid $212M over 7 years for 300 innings of 3.75 ERA ball.
Trill – Your numbers are off, because one thing Maury failed to mention is $50M of Sale’s extension is deferred and payable between 2035-2039.
With only two guaranteed years left and an AAV LT hit of just $25.6M I can definitely see some teams willing to take the risk. All you have to do is look at the recent deGrom and Rodon contracts to see how much money teams are willing to risk on pitchers with extensive injury histories.
Fair enough. But the money is gonna get paid one way or another. The deferrals don’t cheapen the deals of this size all that much, it just spreads out the budgetary hit to the teams.
Trill – I completely agree with you that Sale could very likely return to form by 2024, and thus have the 2025 vesting option kick in.
This is definitely a high risk, high reward scenario for any team that acquires him.
It gives Sale retirement funds….I think it’s smart for players of Sale’s stature to defer a nice portion or their contract for after baseball
Yeah I agree, kingbum. If you set aside the ego of the total annual amount and set aside the ego of inflation devaluing deferments somewhat, deferred payments are an extra winning lottery ticket for many years after retirement or extra money on top of the next contract- both good things.
How much do any of these guys really need after taxes in a given year during their active playing career, anyway?
I get the sense that a ton of these guys making $20-$40M a season are banking 90% of it and investing or just purely banking it for well after they retire to build generational wealth with.
I think a lot of the smarter guys, after they get a mansion and some stuff that is only a few million, maybe $20 million in cash, the rest of the money gets banked and invested for the decade or so they’re still playing for top dollar.
I’ve heard a lot of players give varying quotes to the effect of after the first $30 million or so in pre-tax, pre-agent cut salaries, they were set for life in terms of the basics we all depend on and want for and after that, the rest of the salaries are for building wealth.
To that end, I would guess Sale has been banking basically every penny of his Red Sox extension.
So now you think about a player who’s retired but has tens of millions in deferrments still to be paid out, that just prolongs the amount of time they don’t have to dip into the principal income aside from their probably relatively modest annual personal budgets.
Carlos wants a look at Sale’s physical.
Bauer for Sale and a bucket of chicken
That would be ironic as his nasty slider bringing Machado to his knees to end the World Series would be reunited with Mookie and JD.
If Bauer is in Boston, I am done.
Bauer has one good year on record in the shortest season. I wouldn’t depend on him being an ace especially missing so much time.
Bauer was elite in 2018 too…
Pitchers that make 27 starts are not elite. He admitted he doctored the ball in 2018 and 2020 as well. Can’t do that anymore.
Sale was a fabulous trade, and an atrocious extension. Just ridiculous.
No one thought it was atrocious at the time, only after he got injured. Could have happened to any big league contract. I like Sale because he has the mindset of a winner.
pedey – You’re alone on an island with regard to the Sale extension.
Sale had major injury concerns the year BEFORE he signed the contract, and he pitched all of 3 innings or so in ST before he was given that extension.
If you don’t want to blame Dombrowski then blame it on his medical staff, but SOMEBODY absolutely screwed up there and every Sox fan I know was livid about how Dombrowski rushed to give that extension.
I’m pretty sure Sale is untradeable. I know that’s not a word but sheesh, the Red Sox WISH they could get out from that contract.
Idk, he’s probably a steal when this off-season is all said and done lol
If Bloom could get out of that deal Henry would buy him another steak dinner. Bloom could then sign Rich Hill again as his replacement. Nloom is trying to rid himself from as many of DD’s guys that he can.
If Bloom trades Sale, we don’t have an ace.
pedey – You don’t know that, maybe Bloom brings back Eovaldi or trades for an ace.
You really should give Bloom a chance, he still has a couple months before ST games begin.
WITH Sale the Sox don’t have an ace. I love Sale but aces pitch more than 305 innings in 5 years. Even if healthy the Sox will be super careful with him and pitch maybe 150 innings. He isn’t an Ace any more.
Absolutely I will give him a chance but Sale (when healthy) is eons better than other guys.
I know Eovaldi has been pretty successful the last few years but I don’t consider him an ace.
That being said, I’m okay with trading Sale if it’s a full rebuild. If not, there’s a slim chance we go far this year at all. We need a healthy Sale to succeed.
we have given Bloom 3 YEARS of chances.
If he doesn’t trade Sale we still don’t have an ace
So what, the team was DESTROYED when he signed on.
Fever – I’ve been giving bloom a chance for the last 3 offseasons. He has failed miserably.
I like eovaldi but he really isn’t a true ace. He’s more of a number2 type with injury risks.
A healthy sale working with Houck as a pure starter could be interesting
Eovaldi is not an Ace. He is a solid #4 when healthy. A 4.05 ERA as a Red Sox.
GASox – I’m just keeping my promise to see what team Bloom has to start the regular season.
Eovaldi was an ace last year, 4th in Cy voting and he even got MVP votes. But of course he’s an injury risk, just like many pitchers.
Yes I really like the idea of Houck as a starter, hopefully there’s no truth to the reports of Bloom shopping him. With Houck, Pivetta and a healthy Paxton/Sale I do think they could have a solid rotation. Maybe even Bello will step up or Bloom signs another starting pitcher.
Watch the Red Sox package this garbage with Devers to the Dodgers like they did Betts and Price. Coming back will be Lux and Cartaya
And Vargas to wt Miller plus 25 millions goin back tll ok the Dodgers
Are you joking? That would be absolutely horrendous for LAD if you ask me. They could’ve signed two better players and just keep Lux and Cartaya.
I don’t know if LAD would do a 1-2 swap of Vargas for Sale and Devers, much less than the rest of that
Devers is getting 4 of the top 30 prospects
4 of the top 30? For one year of Devers? What team has 4 prospects in the top 30? What team is in the position to give up 4 of their top prospects (who may not be in the top 30) for one year of Devers?? You have to take it from the perspective from the other team.
4/30 of their top prospects in their farm system
Like I often say, you cannot have these conversations with RS fans. They Live probably thinks this would be a bad trade for Boston, while in reality, it would be a steal for Boston.
Joe – It’s Christmas, can’t you set aside your biased hatred of Red Sox fans for even one day?
The beauty of being me is that I rely on facts. They Live, while a great movie, made a stupid comment in an effort to insult Bloom. So I politely corrected him. He insulted Bloom (or stupidly tried to) on Christmas, so I responded on Christmas.
But back to reality, do you think LAD would trade both Lux and Cartaya for one year of Devers? Devers had a 4.4 bWAR last year. Lux had a 2.5. All thinks being equal, we lose 1.9 WAR, for one year. In exchange, we get 3 more years of Lux after 2023. And we get the #2 catcher prospect in BB?
So it was a stupid suggestion, amplified by the fact that They Live implied Bloom would lose the trade.
Joe Brady- If you’ll reread my post you’ll see that I never made these accusations or insults to your GM. I’m a Dodger fan and from my perspective the Red Sox would deal Devers as long as the Dodgers take on Sale and his contract which is the garbage I was referring to, not Bloom or anyone else. If the Dodgers made this trade it may help them this year but not in the long run. Lux and Cartaya would benefit the Sox in the long run.
“So back to reality” as you like to say, who is the stupid poster?
So you’re saying that you’d expect Bloom to give Friedman a beating on the trade? It feels like you have to be referring to either Bloom or Friedman as an idiot.
So if you were implying that Friedman is an idiot (even if his name wasn’t mentioned), then I apologize.
I wouldn’t mind having Chris Sale with the Cardinals
Any Cubs fan would like to see the Cards depend on Sale.
STL. Perfect fit
Trade him to the Mets.
Sale would have little value right now, unless the Sox are paying part of his salary
I am sure they would be willing to eat some of it for another “top” prospect or two.
Trade values has Sale at -13, which, is like Javy Baez for a position player. They will have to pay a lot to get one good prospect for him. The fact is players like Sale are worth more to their teams than being traded. Because he has been great in the past makes teams have interest, but that doesn’t mean the Sox will get enough in a trade or other team in money to move him.
Part? Theyd have to practically pay all of it to get anything back of value.
Bloom doesn’t care if he gets back anything of value. The value he desires is to get rid of that contract so he can do more bargain hunting or overpaying for older players on short term deals.
DeJong package would get it done.
I’m convinced Chris Sale the guy from the Dire Straits, Money for Nothin video.
former – The guy from Money For Nothing would have to be the Original Blister Boy, Rich Hill.
Why would any team trade for him since the red sox need starting pitching so its a big red flag on his injured arm? if I am a GM I would be very afraid to pick up a pitcher with a history of arm trouble from a team that need starting pitching.
ARC – You are making the false assumption that the Sox intend to contend next year.
Their actions, and lack thereof, lead one to believe they don’t intend to contend. If so, then why would they want to hang onto Sale?
im not a red sox fan,so maybe fever pitch is right and the sox are beginning a rebuild.i believe their last rebuild was the 90 s. ill have to check out the robbie hyde show . hes a sox fan. i just havent seen the upper echelons say we are going into rebuild. so if its not a rebuild, trading sale makes no sense.now lets assume its a rebuild, hes not only a gamble for any team who takes him.hes been trouble off the as well.not to the extent of trevor bauer.but some issues none the less. as for devers theres a slew of teams that could use him.but if hes only got 1 year left then the sox wont get a haul like the padres did with soto.
slim – This year John Henry said 2022 is a bridge year, that’s a diplomatic way of saying a rebuild. We won’t see an instant tear-down because they still have to sell tickets and maintain TV ratings, but all you need to do is look at the departures of nearly all the players Bloom inherited 3 years ago.
Other than Sale, who they couldn’t trade because he was always injured, the only player left from 2019 is the cost-controlled Devers … and they’ve made zero progress in extending him.
Call it what it is, an extended 3-year tear-down.
Fever you may be right in the redsox has given up on this season but why did they sign free agents? If some team takes Sale contract off them they should jump at it. A lot of money for a pitcher that only pitched 5 innings last year. Just to get rid half of the contract would be a good deal for the redsox.
Seems like a rebuild. Shocked if a GM would seek him now. I’m thinking the Sox are gonna have to show he’s competitive in 23. If he holds up and performs well enough, an 8/2 trade deadline candidate? (Caveat: approved by Sale)
ARC – What other options did they have to replace departed players?
It’s either sign free agents or trade away the farm, and they won’t be trading away the farm after spending 3 years trying to build it up.
I do think if Sale pitches well in the first half and the Sox are non-contenders, they will trade him.
you may be right in the redsox has given up on this season but why did they sign free agents?
========================
Obviously. If you’re giving up, you sell. You don’t buy.
Was: destined for Hall of Fame
Is: damaged goods
I say that with respect as a Yankee fan. Sale used to be so dominant. Injuries are a shame
I believe if Chris Sale didn’t throw another pitch he would make it to Cooperstown. It likely doesn’t happen with his first ballot eligibility and maybe not soon thereafter. At some point in time, he will be in the Hall of Fame even if it takes his peers of veterans and not the BBWAA.
Sale would be more than eligible with his 12 MLB seasons, 10 being the minimum prerequisite. He’s already amassed 45.6 bWAR and 45.4 fWAR, with most of that coming in a dominant 7 year stretch from 2012-2018. That period included 7 All-Star selections, 7 top-6 or better CYA finishes and 4 receiving MVP votes.
Sale began his White Sox career as an outstanding late inning reliever for 1-1/4 seasons after debuting in August of his 2010 draft year. He transitioned to a full time starter in 2012 and only injuries have prevented a further accumulation of fantastic stats and high annual WAR. According to Baseball Reference, Sale also holds 2 all-time career records with his 11.1 SO/9 and 5.33 SO/W stats, numbers he would continue to hold if he didn’t throw another pitch or was passed by some other current SP on his road to Cooperstown. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/salech01.shtml
So go to the baseball reference link you provided and you will see that Sale is not close to being on track to be a HOFer.
To me this is like having purchased a very nice high end automobile and you’ve gotten some great value and enjoyment out of it over the years but lately it has sputtered, been in the shop, and failed to start for a couple of years. Somebody contacts you and offers a decent return for it so Yes you sell it.
The average HOF pitcher on Baseball Reference is 73, Sale is half way there! No wait, if he gets the veterans committee with his good ole boys club to vote he might get in like the Crime Dog, what a crime.
In that same 7-year stretch already mentioned Sale was the most dominant southpaw starting pitcher in MLB not named Clayton Kershaw. Sale was also a top-5 or better SP in all of MLB.
I view Sale’s HOF chances similar to another dominant Chicago pro athlete, RB Gale Sayers who is in the NFL HOF despite playing only 7 season including his last two that were limited to 2 games each because of knee injuries. Sayers first 5 seasons were as dominant as any halfback in NFL history and he was justly rewarded with a HOF induction in Canton, OH.
Sale will likely pitch a few more seasons and doesn’t have a debilitating arm injury like Sayers had with his knees. In all likelihood he will continue to amass more count numbers in his bid to gain quicker entrance to Cooperstown. That said, his career stat line is already elite which includes surpassing 2000 SO’s (2064) in just 1678 IP’s against a mere 387 walks, 15 of which were intentional. Take another glance at his career numbers and convince us all that they are not HOF worthy.
The ultimate baseball comp to Chris Sale might be a southpaw from another era who was elected to the HOF in his first year of eligibility back in 1972, the great Sandy Koufax. Check out Koufax 12-year career stats and comp them with Sale who has pitched in an era of juiced balls and hitters.
Koufax was a late bloomer in MLB with erratic command early on. Sale dominated more quickly after his White Sox bullpen baptism in 2010 and 2011.
Koufax career was famously cut short by an arthritic elbow that surfaced in the last two seasons of a remarkable 6-year stretch that ended his time on the mound in 1966. Sale had a similarly dominant 7-year stretch from 2012-2018 with a chance to still add many more count numbers to his resume.
Koufax accumulated a 53.1 career bWAR in 12 MLB seasons. He accrued that number in 397 games, 314 of which were starts. Koufax earned that WAR total over 2324.1 innings pitched. He produced 46.5 bWAR in his final 6 seasons, an astounding 36.4 in his last 4!
Sale has thus far totaled 45.6 bWAR in his 12 seasons. That number has been accrued over 323 appearances, a mere 243 starts and in just 1678.0 innings pitched. Sale produced 39.0 of that WAR during his 7-year stretch of dominant pitching.
I don’t Sale is there yet, but he is easily within reach, IF he is healthy. He is only going to be 34. He could easily pitch another 4 years. He is 20th all-time in ERA+, and at least 3 of the guys in front of him were RPs. 13 of them are in the HOF. #1 all-time in K/9 and K/W. If he can pick up another 15 bWAR, I’d bet that he makes it.
“Red Sox are not looking to trade any of their starters but view rotation as an area of depth…”
Heyman pounding them eggnogs hard this morning.
YBC – In all fairness to Heyman, he didn’t say HE views their rotation as an area of depth.
Considering how often Bloom has misread the market and even misread the value of his own players, it’s not too far-fetched to envision Bloom overvaluing a rotation that could include Hill, Bello, Winckowski, or Seabold.
With Bloom it’s always about quantity, never about quality.
I think working class people should feel insulted by all of this.
Baseball used to be our sport. Someone is deliberately trying to ruin it. It is part of their attack on America.
What is “all of this”?
The trade interest in Sale, of course. As I working man I can take a lot. I suffer the wage gap. The erosion of benefits. The gig economy. But to hear baseball teams have interest in acquiring a starter? That dog won’t hunt. It’s time for revolution, brothers.
Please cite your evidence by showing us your yarn board.
Nice try. You won’t take us down that easily, Chaim.
Born of barnyard. Recreated in space. Is it . . . mule or astro-mule?
I applaud your name.
On sale? Texas could use him with Verdugo
Been saying this since the offseason
Unc steve will take sales contract for devers.
Carrasco baty and two mid tier prospects for sales contract and devers
Well, I suppose the Orioles are loaded with Shortstops and tbe Red Sox could use. Shortstop and in a way they are rebuilding
However, Sale while gifted is hurt a lot
It’s hard to fathom the Red Sox trading Chris Sale short of a tear down. Their rotation is thin as it is with 3 free agent departures. It’s shocking that Boston hasn’t been more active for SP’s in free agency or trades thus far.
I’d have to believe that even with a tight budget the White Sox would be interested in a Sale reunion. Their rotation could certainly use a lefty. Sale was also one of owner Jerry Reinsdorf’s favorite players. Then again, so was Jose Abreu.
Bloom is waiting for the price for SP ro come down probably right before ST. He WILL add a couple of low cost depth SP. COUNT on it.
Like or reply to this if you think Boston signed Turner because they’re gunna trade Devers.
I think it is related, but not directly. He serves a purpose as a DH and backup 3B, and hopefully 1B. But I’d also bet that Bloom has it in the back of his mind that he could trade Devers, and replace him with Turner.
That doesn’t mean he will, but having the option probably appeals to him.
I would advise not to trade this guy. I know he’s injury prone but he’s a gamer. And honestly, he’s our only ace if he manages to stay healthy.
Agreed. Barring any household mishaps, he may be okay.
The only way he should be traded is if we commit to a full rebuild.
lucky – After seeing the video of his dugout meltdown, does anybody really believe his story about the bicycle accident? He has severe anger issues. People who have severe anger issues tend to injure themselves when angry.
Did Ortiz have anger issues when he destroyed the phone? Should we have not resigned him then? Chris Sale took responsibility, that’s enough for me
pedey – Ortiz used a bat, Sale used his hands. Big difference.
Also Ortiz was upset about a bad call in an important game, while Sale was upset about his performance in a minor league game.
Sale has had a slew of mysterious injuries, Ortiz never did.
I think that’s bogus you think because he used his hands versus a bat it’s completely different.
Sale admitted his failure and moved on, you should get over it too. It should not be an excuse for his performance. Minor league or major league, who cares. Sportsmanship is the same. You of all people should be looking at this logically.
Sale was the guy yelling at his teammates and pumping them up to win the World Series in 18. He might have a childish side, but he brings him game face to win.
No offense but I find it asinine you think a guy destroying a phone with a bat is less guilty than a guy using his hands. That’s baffling.
….yeah but he’s a crappy tailor……
Do they need to fill out their IL’s?
I’m convinced Bloom just wants to get everyone off of the team from the former regime for some reason. Hasn’t signed any starters yet we are looking to move Sale who at least has potential if healthy. He’d probably package him with Devers to lessen that return lol. At this point with only 2 years left on Sale’s deal, just hang onto him. He at least has high upside. If Trevor Story can make 25 million-ish, Sale can make 27 million.
Jake – Story’s adjusted salary next year is $2.5M more than Sale’s.
And in 2024 Story’s is $5M more than Sale’s.
Absolutely mind-boggling when you go under the assumption both will be healthy.
Texas?
Heyman can’t misspell this name (unless he tries to spell his first name: Cash Sale traded to …)
Marcell Ozuna for Chris Sale let’s go
@R.D. That would be a terrible trade for the Red Sox and that’s coming from a Braves fan.
Over/Under on games played by Sale this year?
Let’s start the bidding at… 20? I’ll say over, but I’m an eternal optimist. Love to have Sale come to SD, I’m curious what Boston fans would want in return.
I should note: Sale is underwater and we don’t have a current “bad” contract to swap. So, BOS would have to pay down Sale and “buy” a youngster from us. I’d dangle Weathers and call it a day.
CWS 74 wins for 20 Million, BOS 40 wins for 130 Million. That risk factor is there with pitchers, no getting around it hardly. Cohen gets flak for signing Scherzer an Verlander because of age, but he’ll probably get his full money’s worth with those two.
When Sale gets healthy it’ll be time almost for him to move on. Would not bet against him going to the Mets, because he’ll finally be healthy again. That first F.A contract with no prior arm trouble is very risky for the new team, if he stays with the old the money an wins balance out. He’s a real good pitcher when healthy.
This would be such a Falvine move. If Sale is traded, I’ll eat my shirt if its not to the Twins.
Package Devers and Sale. Let’s kick this rebuild off instead of plotting on being an average team.
Being under the CBT Sox can send $’s with him and increase their return. If he’s pitching well and anything near healthy he’ll be a hot commodity at the deadline. Worth a top 5 and top 10 prospect.
can you please tell me 1 team, besides the mets that would give up 2 of their top 10 prospects for chris sale?
If he’s healthy and pitching like he has when healthy why wouldn’t you especially if BOS adds $’s. He’s a legit #1, only signed through ’24 and BOS likely won’t be in a win now window in’23 or even ’24.
I think BOS would be silly not to get a couple legit prospects if his health holds up. Understood it’s a big if.
Tim Anderson and Grandal for Sale, Reece McGuire. and Marcelo Mayer?
Yanks will give Hicks and Donaldson for Sale in a trade of bad contracts.
@FSF. I have no doubt Cashman would love that. No way I’d make that trade if I’m the Red Sox though.
Bad deal for both teams….trading 2 players whose best days are far behind them for a pitcher whose best days are far behind him.
Assuming it was a straight up contract swap, the Yankees would only be saving around $6.1M total and spread across an extra year and the Yankees’ rotation is set and on an annual basis with Donaldson off the books after next year and an extra year of Hicks at $10.8M etc it just isn’t really a logical swap for either club and doesn’t solve any problems for either club. Just a different flavored problem with a different structure to the salary and years left on the deals.
Also the Yankees and Red Sox rarely make straight up trades with each other.
yanks would give hicks and donaldson for the pirates batboy.
Thank you for the update. Now go enjoy your holiday. You can catch us up tomorrow. Thanks for all!
Scrooge McBloom sees dollars signs in a blockbuster trade of Sale and Devers for prospects.
How about a three team trade involving Brewers, Red Sox, and LA Dodgers. SP Woodruff and OF Yelich to Red Sox, 3b Fevers and SP Sale to LA Dodgers for SP Baur and prospects to the Brewers
Merry Christmas….but are you serious… who to cheer for if they traded Sale!!! His name is Ryan Braiser !!! That’s who we ( I ) would cheer for!!!
Why Brasier? Please explain
He’s our( my Bob Stanley abide not as good) 40 years later) big rebound year coming!!!
He’s terrible, should have been DFA’d long ago. Good as a mop up man
Yeah maybe but he’s OUR mop up reliever!!! Man it’s tough being a Red Sox in 21st century…. I like a little misery like 78-86 88etc it builds character…Brais is the ultimate underdog on this team… he deserves another chance to redeem himself…go ahead Mr Henry.. get rid of all of them… but you Dfa Brais and my 40 plus run is over….gonna go sleep it off now… again Merry Christmas Nation!!!!
Telling that competitors view the Sox, in questioning Sale’s availability, as uncompetitive.
Passengers certain to die!
Airline negligent.
There’s a Sale at Penney’s!
No team should take on that contract, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
Ray… what year is that cubs photo??? I remember getting those back in 70”s… have a few… good old Steve Ontetverias(3b)
The Sox don’t have an immediate need for payroll room, and are better off hoping for a bounce back than treating it like the back end of David Price’s deal and paying half of it down to get underwhelming pieces with lower upside.
Their path to the playoffs involves getting 30+ combined starts out of Sale/Paxton and adding another starting pitcher before opening day.
I agree with your point rhswanzey on Sale. Sale’s value couldn’t be lower, and I would think any trade partner would want to include an anchor salary to offset Sale’s. In which case, hold on to Sale in hopes of a bounce back performance.
The Price point, not so much. Red Sox knew they had to go into rebuild, and getting under the cap was paramount.
I only brought up Price in the sense that, as you acknowledged, Sale’s contract is probably underwater, even though a healthy 1-2 Sale seasons may very well be worth 27.5 AAV or more. On the trade market, right now, there would be negative salary coming back, or some of Sale’s salary would have to be paid down, to facilitate a trade. There was a 0% chance of Price being moved on his own (instead of in the Betts trade, partially paid down). And because the team prioritized getting out of a large portion of that contract, the trade return suffered for it.
Texas or Philadelphia bound
If there is a team stupid enough to take that contract off of the Red Sox hands please by all means do so
Sale’s extension is an atrocity which validates letting Bogaerts go to avoid the same waste. Sale has salary deferred til 2040! I’ll be dead by then but still resenting it !
Roger Clemens rookie ERA was 4.32. Sure glad they weren’t able to bring in enough veteran starters to never give him another opportunity.
I think Sale would be a perfect fit for the Cardinals. All you Sox fans , what would you think of a package of Gorman, DeJong and Burleson for Sale. Gorman gives you a young lefty slugging 2nd baseman so Story can slide to SS. DeJong gives you elite defense at SS with potential for 20 HRs and Burleson gives you a slugging young corner outfielder. Gorman and Burleson are both pre arbitration and DeJong is in the final year of his contract. Gorman was our #2 prospect while I believe Burleson was #5 or 6!
Bloom would be thrown into the bay along with all the tea if he declined this trade, right?
I’d make that trade as a RS fan. I don’t think StL would make the trade, but I also don’t think that StL has particularly good fits for DeJong, Gorman or Burleson.
I find DeJong interesting. He’s not cheap, but the two options years provide value if he returns to form.
That would be an overpay by Mo. DeJong, Burleson, and $10 million would be more fair.
Sale if healthy is exactly the pitcher that we need. He is from Florida and loves to hunt and fish. He would fit in well in St. Louis.
The best Sales are always after Christmas.
I doubt the RS have any interest in trading Sale, but every team listens on everyone.
I doubt many teams have an interest in trading for Sale. He could still return to form, but no one will take on that type of gamble at his salary.
Sale has a no-trade clause.
5 Ideal Trade Destinations https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/five_ideal_trade_destinations_for_seven_time_all_star_chris_sale/s1_12680_38282027
Sale ends up in San Diego. They take on all his salary and send a low-level prospect or PTBNL back to the Red Sox. What say you Red Sox fans?
web – I say let the bidding war between SF and SD begin.
BoSox are gonna have to eat a big portion of Sale’s contract to trade him. He’s been hurt or unreliable the past few years.
BoSox might be better served to keep him, hope he pitches well over the initial two or three months and then flip him when he will have more value to a contender. If he’s really all the way back, BoSox may not have to pay as big of a chunk of the money he’s owed, and might even get a better prospect, too.
Wouldn’t be shocked it he ended up with the Dodgers or Angels.
If Sale is all the way back then the Bosox wouldn’t have to pay a dime of his salary and would get back a good prospect or two if they traded him at the deadline.
It wouldn’t be worth our while to trade him now. We don’t need the cap space, and we’d have no replacement players to spend the money on.
“Teams are checking on Chris Sale’s availability. Red Sox are not looking to trade any of their starters but view rotation as an area of depth and are at least willing to listen, and consider.” -Jon Heyman on Twitter
The Red Sox view their rotation as an area of depth? Really?
I was one of the few White Sox fans that knew Chris Sale would eventually have Tommy John surgery done on him. It was a given with Sale’s violent delivery to overusing his slider to rake up his strikeouts to his few stints on the DL before being traded to the Red Sox. There was no doubt Sale was a dominating pitcher in the first half of the season but always started to show signs of fatigue in late July to early August where his numbers showed it. That trade helped the Red Sox win the World Series but Sale was a factor early that year but not that great in the playoffs.
Here is an idea, what if the White Sox and Red Sox make a swap for Chris Sale and Trevor Story for Lucas Giolito and Tim Anderson! This is far fetched but hey lets be creative on here.
I suppose one man’s “creative” is another man’s laughably lopsided.
Seriously does anyone really have confidence that Chaim Bloom can pull off a good trade. He has not pulled one off yet. What he did at the trade deadline was puzzling at best. Yeah he picks up prospects but prospects take a long time to develop and go through ups and downs. The ticket prices that Henry charges in Boston do not justify this inferior product Bloom has put together on the field. The trades this guy makes must make the other GMs shake their heads at him. Trading an Allstar in Betts for a backup catcher who cannot hit, an average Verdugo and Jeter Downs who I saw could not hit right away. He virtually gets fleeced on trades.
After this team tanks this year I predict Bloom will be shown the door. This mess he created will take years to fix from the next guy who comes in.
Maybe they should pay him more money.
The red sox should sign Evan Longoria, Didi Gregorious, Jose Iglesias, Jonathan Villar, Matt Moore and Alex Young. And also trade Sale and Dalbec.
LOL !!!Unless Bloom gets them for a BAHGAIN it will never happen. This is the worst offseason I have seen the Red Sox have in a while. It is going to be a very long year with this team. I am grateful for the World Series that we have won but what Bloom has done to this team is horrific and I guess John Henry is okay with it.
Rich Hill signed with Pittsburgh today on a one year deal. What is the plan here for Bloom? Teams are setting their rosters now and are not going to trade top players now unless you overwhelm them by giving up a lot. This offseason has turned into a joke for the Red Sox and Bloom is looking more incompetent everyday he does not pick up starting pitching or for that any player!